Festus Adegboye Onigbinde 5 March 1938 – 9 March 2026 was a respected Nigerian football coach, administrator and technical instructor. He was born in Modakeke in present-day Osun State, Nigeria. He coached the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, on two different occasions and also worked with several clubs. Over the years, he built a reputation as one of the country’s most experienced football teachers. He died on 9 March 2026 at the age of 88.
Festus Adegboye Onigbinde Profile
| Name | Festus Adegboye Onigbinde |
| Real Name | Festus Onigbinde |
| Date of Birth | 5 March 1938 |
| Date of Death | 9 March 2026 (88 years) |
| State of Origin | Osun State |
| Tribe | Yoruba |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Football Coach, Administrator and Technical Instructor |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Onigbinde invested a lot of time in professional football education. In 1976, he earned a German Grade A coaching licence, which was considered one of the highest coaching qualifications at the time.
Later, in 1981, he attended an advanced coaching programme in Brazil to improve his technical knowledge of the game. These international training programmes helped shape his coaching style and made him one of the earliest Nigerian coaches with elite qualifications.
Career
Onigbinde had a long coaching and administrative career that lasted several decades. In 1982, he became one of the earliest indigenous coaches to manage the Nigerian national team. Under his leadership, Nigeria reached the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished runners-up after losing 3–1 to Cameroon.
At club level, he coached Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan. In 1984, he guided the team to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs (now CAF Champions League), where they lost to Egypt’s Zamalek.
Many years later, he returned as coach of the Super Eagles and led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. He later focused on teaching and mentoring young coaches across Africa.
Controversies
Onigbinde faced criticism after Nigeria’s performance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles did not win any match in the tournament and were eliminated in the group stage. Some players, including Jay-Jay Okocha and Julius Aghahowa, publicly complained that the coach selected the wrong players for the competition. Despite the criticism, several of the younger players he introduced later became regular members of the national team.
Personal Life
Onigbinde was also a community leader in Modakeke, where he held the traditional title of High Chief. He once explained that Adegboye was not originally part of his name. According to him, he dropped his baptismal name Festus in 1960 and chose Adegboye, a Yoruba name that means a child born to reclaim a chieftaincy title. He was married and had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family described him as a devoted father and mentor.
Festus Adegboye Onigbinde Net Worth
Festus Adegboye Onigbinde’s net worth was estimated to be around $500,000 during his lifetime.
Death
Festus Adegboye Onigbinde died on 9 March 2026 at the age of 88. His death was confirmed by his family in a statement signed by Mrs. Bolade Adesuyi, who described him as a devoted family man and a respected figure in Nigerian football.
Following the announcement of his passing, many tributes came from across Nigeria’s football community. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to the family and praised Onigbinde’s lifelong contribution to football development in the country.
The Nigeria Football Federation also paid tribute, describing him as a committed servant of the game who dedicated decades to the growth of football in Nigeria and across Africa. Officials noted that his influence went beyond coaching, as he also worked as a technical director, instructor, and mentor to many younger coaches.
Many former players, colleagues, and football fans remembered him as a disciplined and knowledgeable tactician who remained passionate about football even in his later years. His death was widely regarded as a major loss to Nigerian football. Onigbinde is survived by his children, grandchildren, and extended family, and funeral arrangements were expected to be announced by the family.