President Bola Ahmed Tinubu don congratulate Rangers International FC for dia historic triumph for di 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season. Di Enugu-based side secure a record ninth league title for a campaign wey don rekindle memories of di club glorious past and reaffirm dia place for Nigerian football history.
For a statement wey di Presidency issue on May 25, 2026, through im Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praise di club managers, players, and supporters after dem finish top of di league table with 68 points from 38 matches. Dem edge out closest challengers Rivers United FC for a tightly contested title race.
President Tinubu recall di club dominant era for di 1970s and 1980s, when dem be one of Africa most formidable teams. For dat time, Rangers win multiple domestic league and FA Cup titles, reach di finals of di African Cup of Champions Clubs for 1975, and go on to win di African Cup Winners Cup for 1977. Dis achievements cement dia legacy for continental stage.
Tinubu also commend Governor Peter Mbah for im attention to sports development for Enugu State. Di President say: ‘I must also congratulate Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on di victory of Rangers International FC. Dis victory na obvious fruit of im administration investments for youth and sports for di state. I commend am. As one of di oldest clubs for Nigeria, Rangers don produce some of di nation finest football players wey go on to make di country proud for global stage. I dey proud of dia achievement.’
Di President attribute part of di club success to sustained investment for youth development and sporting infrastructure. Beyond celebrating Rangers, President Tinubu also acknowledge di efforts of Rivers United throughout di season, praising dia competitiveness and professionalism despite narrowly missing out on di title. He commend Rivers United for an excellent performance throughout di tournament and for demonstrating good sportsmanship. He wish both Rangers International FC and Rivers United di very best as dem represent Nigeria for next season CAF Champions League.
Di victory cap one of di most dramatic final-day title races for recent NPFL history, with Rangers ultimately finishing ahead of Rivers United, wey defeat Katsina United 3-0 but fall just short for di championship race.
Fidelis Ilechukwu don describe Lagos as im home after guiding Rangers International FC to di 2025/2026 NPFL title with another victory for di commercial city. Rangers seal dia ninth league crown on Sunday following a tense 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City FC at di Mobolaji Johnson Arena, capping off a remarkable run.
Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES after di title-clinching triumph, Ilechukwu reflect on im long-standing connection with Lagos football and di influence di city don have on im coaching career. He say: ‘Lagos na home always for me because I don work here, I don live here, I don dey here for more than 30 years. Dem love me here. Na place wey no get sentiment. Na place wey I always work with love. I believe say if we come here and play well, we go win because Nigerian football dey open.’
Di victory further strengthen Ilechukwu growing reputation as one of di most respected coaches for Nigerian domestic football. Popularly known as ‘The Working One,’ di Rangers coach build much of im managerial identity for Lagos during im transformative spell with MFM FC. During im 13-year stint, Ilechukwu take di modest Lagos-based club from di lower ranks to di pinnacle. Under im leadership, di club secure promotion to di NPFL for 2015 and quickly evolve into one of di most entertaining and tactically organised sides for di country.
MFM finish runners-up for di 2017 NPFL season behind Plateau United, narrowly missing out on di league title but securing a historic qualification for di CAF Champions League — di club first continental appearance. During dat period, Ilechukwu become widely admired for developing young talents and implementing an aggressive attacking philosophy wey transform MFM into one of di league biggest stories. Im work for Lagos also earn am opportunities with oda major NPFL clubs, including Heartland FC and later Plateau United FC before im eventual appointment at Rangers.
Since arriving for Enugu, Ilechukwu don restore Rangers to di summit of Nigerian football, blending tactical discipline with attacking efficiency. Di Enugu club finish di season with di league best defensive record while also maintaining one of di strongest attacking returns for di division. For Ilechukwu, Sunday feat for Lagos represent more than just anoda away victory. Na title-winning moment achieve for di city where much of im coaching journey begin.
