Nigerian Olympic Committee Mourns Abba Yola, Describes Him as Pillar of Nigerian Sports

The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) has paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran sports administrator and former Kano Pillars chairman, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola, whose death was announced on Monday, June 24, 2025. Described as a “pillar in Nigeria’s sporting landscape,” Yola’s passing has left a deep void in the nation’s sports community.

In a condolence statement released Tuesday by NOC President Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel, the committee extended its sympathies to the late Yola’s family and the Nigerian sports fraternity, calling his death “a tremendous loss.” Gumel said, “Abba Yola was not just a passionate administrator, but a devoted servant who poured his life into building athletics and football across Nigeria.”

Yola’s career spanned decades of unwavering dedication, including his role as Chairman of Kano Pillars Football Club and a senior staff member at the now-defunct Federal Ministry of Sports. He was also Chief of Staff to former Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, and served as Special Assistant to the former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji.

His contributions to national policy-making and grassroots sports development were recognized by appointments to several federal committees and task forces over the years. Many credit his administrative insights and diplomacy for shaping parts of Nigeria’s football framework, especially during the early 2000s.

Beyond his professional achievements, Yola was celebrated for his humility, personal elegance, and statesmanship. “His calm presence and respectful nature earned him lasting friendships across all divides,” Gumel noted, adding that his loss is not only a blow to Kano State but to the entire Olympic and sporting family in Nigeria.

Tributes have poured in from athletes, sports journalists, former teammates, and government officials, all praising his deep-rooted legacy. Many described him as one of the last true sports gentlemen in Nigerian administration. He was also instrumental in Nigeria’s 2008 and 2012 Olympic preparations.

The NOC urged Nigerians to honour Yola’s legacy by upholding values of service, professionalism, and dedication to youth and sports development. Plans for a national tribute or memorial event are expected to be announced by the NOC in collaboration with Kano State and federal sports authorities.