Senator Smart Adeyemi has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immortalise the late Christian Chukwu, the legendary former captain of Nigeria’s national football team, the Green Eagles (now Super Eagles), who led the country to its first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980 after previously securing two bronze medals.
Adeyemi, a former representative of Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, made the appeal in a statement dated Monday, April 14, 2025. The senator said such a gesture would inspire aspiring athletes and patriots across the country.
Christian Chukwu, who also served as head coach of the Super Eagles, passed away recently at the age of 74 in his home state of Enugu.
“The exploits of Christian Chukwu remain fresh in the minds of Nigerians. He was undoubtedly the best of his generation.
“I know President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a listening leader who takes timely action. We only wish to draw his attention to this important matter.
“Chukwu gave his best for Nigeria. Many of us recall his heroics with nostalgia, and it would be heartwarming if his legacy is preserved for generations to come.
“We hope the country will honour him in a lasting and significant way, to motivate others to give their all for the nation. This can help build a future where more heroes and heroines emerge to serve Nigeria in different capacities,” Adeyemi stated.
Adeyemi also urged sports administrators to prioritise the holistic development of sports in the country.
Christian Chukwu, born on January 4, 1951, captained the Nigerian national team from 1974 to 1980.
Fondly called “The Chairman,” he was the first Nigerian captain to lift the AFCON trophy after a 3–0 win over Algeria in the final of the 1980 tournament. He had also led the team to second-place finishes in 1976 and 1978.
At the club level, Chukwu captained Enugu Rangers FC to victory in the 1977 Africa Cup Winners’ Cup.
He later served as assistant coach of the Golden Eaglets team that won Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup title at the U16 level in China in 1985. He was also an assistant coach for the famous 1994 Super Eagles squad that qualified Nigeria for its first-ever FIFA World Cup.
In 1998, Chukwu became head coach of the Kenya national team. From 2003 to 2005, he coached Nigeria, guiding the Super Eagles to a bronze medal finish at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. He was relieved of his duties in June 2005 during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
Chukwu later returned to manage Enugu Rangers, finishing 6th in the 2008/2009 Nigeria Premier League season, before being sacked in August 2009. In 2017, he was appointed General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Rangers by the then-Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
A national icon, Chukwu was a recipient of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) honour.
In 2021, he was falsely reported to have died, a rumour he debunked during his 70th birthday celebration on January 4 of that year.
Christian Chukwu is survived by his wife, Lilian, and four children.
