Bolarinwa Idris has stepped down as head coach of Ekiti United, ending his one-season tenure with the club following the close of the 2025/26 Nigeria National League season. He submitted his resignation on Wednesday, marking the official end of a campaign in which the team finished third in NNL Conference B with 30 points, narrowly missing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League. Under Idris' leadership, Ekiti United maintained a flawless home record, winning all nine of their home matches and collecting 27 points from home games alone.
Idris praised the Ekiti State Government and Dr Olusola Osetoba, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, for their support throughout the season. In a statement, he said, "This chapter is over with Ekiti United, and I am proud of what we achieved together from the first day to the end of the season. Football is a collective effort, and I must appreciate everyone we worked with to make the successes we recorded possible." He also acknowledged the players, staff, and fans, stating, "The players gave everything for the badge, the staff worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and the fans stood by us through the highs and lows. I will always be grateful for the support I received."
Though linked with several clubs, Idris has not confirmed his next move, saying only, "I'm currently in discussions with a few clubs, but nothing concrete has been agreed yet. When the time is right, I will make my next move public. For now, I want to take some time to rest and reflect." A Confederation of African Football-certified coach, Idris has previously coached Phoenix Athletics Sports Club, Greenlock FC and Grassrunners FC. His performance with Ekiti United has elevated his profile in Nigerian football.
Bolarinwa Idris left immediately after securing Ekiti United's best league finish in years, despite calling the season a collective success. He publicly thanked Dr Olusola Osetoba by name but made no mention of the governor or state officials who control funding. The club achieved a perfect home record but still fell short of promotion. His silence on next steps fuels speculation, but his exit leaves a gap no current official has claimed to fill.
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