NFF Blocks Arthur Okonkwo’s Super Eagles Debut, Says FIFA Switch Not Yet Finalised

|By Babatunji Wusu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has declared that Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is not yet eligible to represent the Super Eagles, shutting down reports that his international switch has been approved.

Okonkwo, 24, was born in London to Nigerian parents and previously represented England at youth level. The former Arsenal academy graduate recently expressed a strong desire to switch allegiance and play for Nigeria at senior level.

Speculation intensified after reports surfaced that FIFA had approved the goalkeeper’s nationality switch in December 2025. The rumours gained further traction with claims that Okonkwo had been pencilled down for Nigeria’s squad ahead of the upcoming four-nation invitational tournament scheduled for next month in Amman, Jordan.

However, the NFF has now moved to clarify the situation.

The federation’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, confirmed that the administrative process is still ongoing and far from complete.

“The process is still ongoing and has not been completed yet,” Enebi told Footy-Africa.

He added that while Okonkwo remains a player of interest to the national team setup, the formalities required to finalise his international switch have not been concluded.

“Okonkwo is one we are looking at, but as of today, his international switch has not been concluded,” he stated.

The development means the shot-stopper cannot feature for the Super Eagles until FIFA formally ratifies his change of association. Under FIFA regulations, players who have represented one country at youth level must complete a one-time switch process before playing competitively for another nation at senior level.

Until that approval is secured, Okonkwo remains ineligible to don the green and white of Nigeria.