Niger Tornadoes have appointed experienced tactician Abdullahi Umar Tyabo as Chief Coach and former Nasarawa United goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Abideen Baruwa as the club’s pioneer goalkeeper coach ahead of the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.
This is coming as renovation work begins at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium, Minna, to bring the facility up to FIFA standards before the new campaign.
The appointments were announced in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Niger Tornadoes Management Committee, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso, and made available to sports journalists in Minna.
The club described Tyabo as one of Nigeria’s finest football tacticians, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience will strengthen the technical department.
A CAF C Licence holder, Tyabo has over a decade of coaching experience, having managed several clubs across the country. He started his coaching career with amateur youth teams in Minna before breaking into the NPFL with Wikki Tourists, where he worked under Coach Abdul Maikaba.
He later joined Maikaba at Akwa United and was part of the technical crew that guided the club to victory in the 2017 Aiteo Cup, defeating Niger Tornadoes in the final. He also holds advanced coaching qualifications from Brazil, including a Diploma B Certificate.
The club also confirmed the appointment of former Nasarawa United goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Abideen Baruwa as its pioneer goalkeeper coach.
Baruwa is expected to bring his vast experience in goalkeeper development to the Ikon Allah Boys and will work alongside Bello Mohammed, who has been appointed as the second goalkeeper coach.
The appointments complete Niger Tornadoes’ technical crew as preparations intensify for the 2026/2027 NPFL season.
NPFL: Niger Tornadoes appoint Tyabo Chief Coach, Baruwa Goalkeeper Trainer ahead new season
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