Chief Mutiu Adepoju, a former Nigerian international footballer, is fondly remembered for his trademark goals scored with his head—a skill that earned him the nickname Headmaster. Adepoju, who played as a midfielder for the Super Eagles, also enjoyed a remarkable club career in Spain, featuring prominently for Racing de Santander and Real Sociedad, with 175 La Liga appearances and 22 goals across seven seasons.
In this exclusive interview with Oodua News, the football legend reflects on his career, shares the story behind his iconic nickname, and calls on government and stakeholders to do more to advance sports in Nigeria.
Excerpts:
Can we meet you?
I am Chief Mutiu Adepoju, former Super Eagles player.
How would you assess Nigerian football today compared to your playing days?
Football has evolved globally. Things are changing every day, and we cannot compare our era with today’s football. Innovations in technology and organization have transformed the game, especially in Europe. Unfortunately, Nigeria has not kept pace. Our structures, organization, and use of technology are still far behind.
That said, we have shown flashes of brilliance, like the Super Falcons winning tournaments. But to consistently meet international standards, we still have a long way to go.
When did you begin your football career?
My journey started in 1986. Before then, I represented Oyo State at the National Sports Festival in Kwara ’85. After that, I joined Femo Scorpions in 1986 for two years. In 1988, I moved to Shooting Stars, then in the second division, and helped the team secure promotion back to the first division that same year as the club’s top scorer.
That same year, I was invited to the U-20 national team. We qualified for the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship, and that marked the beginning of my journey to stardom.
What is your view on sports administration in Nigeria?
The government is trying, but much more needs to be done. It’s not only the responsibility of government—individuals and stakeholders must also invest in sports development.
Globally, leagues like La Liga and the NBA are admired because they put the right structures in place. In Nigeria, our leagues lack that level of organization. With the right policies and investments, we can achieve better results.
What advice would you give the government?
Government should create an enabling environment for sports to thrive. This includes incentives for athletes, policies to support sports growth, and infrastructure that encourages young talent.
What about retired athletes—how should they be supported?
Government needs to do more in that area too. Sportsmen and women dedicate their youth to serving the country, but many struggle after retirement. A pension scheme or structured support system should be in place.
By 30 or 35, many athletes retire, and without education or another skill, life becomes difficult. That’s why I encourage young athletes to take education seriously—it provides stability after sports.
Your nickname ‘Headmaster’ is widely known. How did you earn it?
It came from my ability to score goals with my head consistently. From my days at Shooting Stars to the U-20 national team and later the Super Eagles, heading goals became my trademark.
The nickname was first given to me by Dr. Mumini Alao, publisher of Complete Sports. He visited our camp regularly, and after watching me score with my head repeatedly, he called me “Headmaster.” The name caught on, and by the time I joined the Super Eagles, it had become a household name.
What would you like to be remembered for?
I leave that to the people. I know I served my country with all my heart, making history with the Super Eagles. I thank God for His mercy and for everything I achieved.
Today, I work as a consultant with sports academies, including Lanre Leke Sports Academy, where I help groom the next generation.
