The Nigerian Senate has urgently called for an apology from the Libyan government following the reported inhumane treatment of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team, upon their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Condemning the incident as disgraceful, the Senate labeled the conduct of Libyan officials as an unfortunate violation of human dignity and international standards. They have also called for a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
The resolution arose after Senator Sumaila Kawu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, raised a point of order invoking Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules for a personal explanation.
During the session, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who presided over the meeting, denounced the treatment of the Super Eagles in Libya, describing it as unacceptable and contrary to the principles of sports.
“The matter was brought under Personal Explanation by Senator Kawu,” Jibrin stated. “What happened to the Super Eagles in Libya does not align with the spirit of sports. The essence of sports is to promote unity, competition, and camaraderie among nations on the continent. The way our players were treated is terrible and condemnable.”
He added, “Fortunately, Senator Kawu has come through with a personal explanation. We do not want a diplomatic row; we believe this is a mistake, and the Libyans should have the opportunity to correct it and apologize to the Nigerian government.”
Jibrin emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, stating, “Nigeria is a big country in Africa. We always lead in diplomacy, friendship, and everything. Based on that spirit, I am confident this matter should be treated as a chance for Libyan leaders to apologize to our national team.”
He concluded by urging the Libyan ambassador and relevant authorities to publicly apologize for their actions, commending Senator Kawu for bringing the issue to light. “Thank you for your diligence in your duties,” he said.