Sports journalist and media executive Niyi Busari has been appointed Media Officer of Nigeria’s U23 men’s national football team, the Olympic Eagles, becoming the third member of the FCT chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to secure a media appointment with a Nigerian national team.

Busari’s appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) takes immediate effect, placing the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of BSN Sports in charge of media operations for the Olympic Eagles ahead of their crucial U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

His appointment follows those of Busayo Olowookere, who was named Media Manager of Nigeria’s beach soccer national team, the Super Sand Eagles, and Brenda Shima, appointed Media Officer of the senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons. Both are members of the FCT SWAN chapter.  

The latest appointment highlights the growing representation of FCT-based sports media professionals within the communication structures of Nigeria’s national teams.

Busari is also a former Financial Secretary of FCT SWAN, having previously served the association at chapter level. His new assignment marks another step in a career spanning sports journalism, investigative reporting, media management and football development.

With 13 years of experience in sports journalism, Busari has built a professional profile through his work at BSN Sports, an online platform covering Nigerian and international sports, with particular attention to football administration and development.

A graduate of the University of Abuja, he has developed expertise in sports reporting, investigative journalism, digital publishing and media coordination. BSN Sports’ content is reportedly accessed by more than 342 radio and television stations.

Busari’s experience also includes grassroots football administration. In 2020, he was appointed Media Manager of the FCT Football Association, where he contributed to communication activities around football development in the Federal Capital Territory.

He is expected to join the Olympic Eagles as the team resumes preparations in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, ahead of the two-legged qualifying encounter against DR Congo.

Nigeria will travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium on November 13, while the return fixture is scheduled for November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. The aggregate winner will advance to the final qualifying round for the U23 AFCON, which also serves as a pathway to the men’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.  

As Media Officer, Busari will coordinate media engagement around the team, facilitate communication with journalists and support the timely distribution of official information during the camp and qualifying fixtures.

For the former FCT SWAN Financial Secretary, the appointment combines his experience in sports journalism with a new responsibility at national-team level, while further strengthening the presence of FCT SWAN members within Nigeria’s football media operations.