The history of football in Nigeria dates back to 1906/1907. The first documented game took place in Zaria, and it spread throughout the country. Although sports like cricket and polo were promoted by senior colonial officials, junior officers and missionaries began playing football, as it had a lower social status. In fact, the first recorded game was played in a meadow in England. As a result, many of the earliest games involved people punching the ball.

The introduction of football in Nigeria is widely believed to have begun in the early twentieth century when the country was a British colony. A book examining the history of the game in Nigeria by Dr. Wiebe Boer argues that the first recorded game was held in Calabar City on June 15, 1904. The British had also promoted cricket and polo, but football eventually became a national sport in the country after over five decades. In the 1960s, several African nations began to develop nationalist movements against European rule, and their nationalist movement was fueled by a desire to establish their own nation.

In the early 20th century, Nigeria was a British colony. This period brought cultural change, industrial development, and a new way to entertain. The first football matches took place in 1906, and Nigerian football clubs were formed. In 1932, the first football association in Nigeria was formed, called the Lagos District Amateur Football Association. Today, this association is the national governing body of the sport. In addition to introducing the sport in Nigeria, this book also explains the history of the sport in Nigeria.

The sport first started in Nigeria, when missionaries set up training institutions in the town of Okwaro. A couple of years later, it was played by women, but the British colonial power were unhappy with women's adoption of the sport. Despite the British reluctance to allow women to play, the Nigerian women continued to play on grounds outside the jurisdiction of the national football association. They played wherever they could find space. Ultimately, this decision helped the game develop and flourish in the country.

Football was first introduced to Nigeria by the British during the early 20th century. A missionary-run training institute called the Okwaro played against the sailors of the British ship HMS. The missionaries' school won the competition 3-2, and it was popular for some time. By the late 1940s, the British moved the capital of Calabar to Lagos, and the sport continued. In the 20th century, the sport became the most popular sport in the country.

In the early 19th century, the United States hosted the first FIFA World Cup, and a team of Nigerians was invited to play the match. The players were welcomed by the US and were able to play fast and stylish football. They were also welcomed by American and British officials, and the game grew in popularity. At the time, there were no organized games in the United States and most people played unofficial games in the UK.