Wikki Tourists Sign Rising Star Abdullahi ‘Pepe’ Usman From Sporting Lagos

Newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Wikki Tourists FC have bolstered their frontline with the signing of Abdullahi Usman, widely known as “Pepe”, from Sporting Lagos FC ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

The dynamic forward arrives at the Bauchi-based club with a growing reputation after an impressive campaign in Lagos, where he finished as Sporting’s top scorer across all competitions. Before that, the 21 year old honed his craft at Footwork FC, where his flair and goal-scoring instinct caught national attention.

Wikki Tourists are banking on Pepe’s pace, movement, and composure in front of goal to inject firepower into their return to the NPFL. Insiders close to the club say the move is part of a broader rebuild focused on young, explosive talent.

“He’s an exciting player with a natural eye for goal. We believe he’ll thrive in Bauchi,” a team official said. As fans look forward to the club’s NPFL return, all eyes will be on Pepe to replicate  or exceed  the form that made him a standout at Sporting Lagos.

Editorial

We welcome Wikki Tourists FC’s ambition as they re-enter the top flight with a strategic investment in Abdullahi Usman, a young forward who could well become the club’s talisman. It’s a bold but necessary move in a league where many sides are content with recycled veterans.

Too often, teams returning to the NPFL struggle due to lack of vision or reliance on fading talent. Wikki Tourists are rejecting that narrative. By acquiring a proven goalscorer like Pepe  who shone at Sporting Lagos and first made waves at Footwork FC  they are betting on youth and potential. And rightly so.

Pepe has already demonstrated maturity beyond his years, combining blistering pace with the ability to find space and finish with both feet. His presence will stretch defences, offer width, and, crucially, provide goals the lifeblood of any team aiming to survive and thrive in Nigeria’s unpredictable top division.

If Wikki can give him the service and trust his instincts, this move might not just be about survival. It could signal a transition into a club with a long-term plan and a sustainable model built on emerging talent.

This is the sort of signing the NPFL needs more of a player on the rise, a team thinking forward, and a league hungry for excitement. Pepe’s move might just be the catalyst for a thrilling season in Bauchi.

Did You Know?

1. Wikki Tourists FC are nicknamed “The Giant Elephant” and play their home games at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.
2. Abdullahi Usman got the nickname “Pepe” due to his aggressive playing style in youth football — a nod to the combative Portuguese defender, though he plays as a forward.
3. Sporting Lagos FC, Pepe’s former club, is barely three years old and is already gaining a reputation as a springboard for emerging talent in Nigerian football.
4. The last time Wikki Tourists were relegated from the NPFL, they returned two seasons later with an entirely new technical team and philosophy.
5. Footwork FC, where Pepe began his journey, is a grassroots club known for producing technically gifted players who move on to professional leagues domestically and abroad.