Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi has officially appointed Coach Bala Nikyu as the new Head Coach of the Pride of Benue.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the McCarthy Stadium in Makurdi on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in the presence of the club’s management, technical crew, players, staff, and members of the media.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club, Simon Terver Ikya, described the appointment as a defining moment that signals a renewed direction and collective commitment towards achieving the club’s ambitions of returning to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Ikya revealed that seventeen players have been retained, with more additions expected to strengthen the squad. He charged everyone connected with the club to rise to the occasion and work towards promotion back to the top flight.
Coach Bala Nikyu, who previously guided Nasarawa United back to the NPFL in the 2023/2024 season, brings over a decade of CAF A Licence experience and vast technical knowledge. In his remarks, the new coach expressed full commitment to the assignment, promising to build a positive legacy through hard work, discipline, and results on the field.
The club also appreciated the support of the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, assuring that Lobi Stars will continue to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government and people of the state.
The appointment marks a new chapter for the club as it sets its sights firmly on a return to Nigeria’s premier football league.
