Makurdi’s Alia Boys turn to the experienced tactician to complete an immediate return to the top flight after falling just short last term.
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Lobi Stars have appointed Bala Nikyu as their new technical adviser ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria National League season, tasking the veteran coach with leading the Makurdi club back to the NPFL.
The Alia Boys dropped out of the top flight at the end of the 2024/25 campaign and came close to an instant return last season, only to fall just short in the NNL promotion race. Nikyu now takes charge with the specific brief of finishing the job.
He arrives with a well travelled coaching résumé, having previously handled sides including Wikki Tourists, Plateau United and Gombe United. That experience across some of Nigeria’s more competitive lower and top-flight clubs is expected to bring structure to Lobi Stars’ promotion push.
Nikyu has also worked at international level, having taken charge of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, at one point in his career. Lobi Stars will be leaning on that breadth of experience as they plan for the new campaign.
Second Attempt At Instant Promotion
With relegation still fresh and last season’s near miss adding extra motivation, the pressure is on Nikyu to get results quickly. Lobi Stars’ fanbase has grown used to top flight football, and another season outside the NPFL would extend a wait supporters are eager to see end.
The club has not detailed the length of Nikyu’s contract or his backroom staff, but the appointment gives Lobi Stars a settled technical leadership in place well ahead of preseason preparations for the 2026/27 NNL season.
📌 Did You Know?
- Lobi Stars are based in Makurdi, Benue State, and are nicknamed the Pride of Benue.
- The club has previously produced players who went on to represent the Super Eagles at senior level.
- Wikki Tourists, one of Nikyu’s former clubs, are based in Bauchi and have a long NPFL history of their own.
- The Flamingos, the team Nikyu once coached, are Nigeria’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup representative side.
- Plateau United, another of his former clubs, won the NPFL title in the 2016/17 season.
- The NNL serves as Nigeria’s second tier competition, feeding directly into NPFL promotion and relegation.
- Lobi Stars previously changed technical advisers mid-season during their relegation campaign before this new appointment.
