Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has approved the immediate dissolution of the Board and Management of Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi.
The governor’s chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, announced the decision in a statement on Thursday.
According to Kula, the move is aimed at repositioning the club for greater efficiency, accountability, and improved performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and other competitions.
Governor Alia directed all members of the dissolved management team to hand over official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity with immediate effect, Kula disclosed.
Kula added that the governor appreciated the outgoing board and management for their services to the club and the state, assuring that a new management structure would soon be unveiled to drive the next phase of Lobi Stars’ growth and competitiveness.
Lobi Stars Football Club (formerly known as Mosquito Football Club, Lobi Bank, BBL Hawks, and Hawks) was founded in 1981 by the Benue State Sports Council; the club was renamed Benue Breweries Limited (BBL) Hawks Football Club when the state-owned breweries acquired the club in 1985.
There was another change again when the state-owned Lobi Bank acquired the club in 1990 and named it Lobi Bank Football Club.
In 1999, the Nigeria Football League was played in a new format which saw the top four teams squaring up in a knockout Super League at the National Stadium, Surulere.
Lobi Stars won the maiden edition of the Nigerian Super League under coach Godwin Koko Uwua’s management. Lobi Stars won its first and only FA Cup title in 2003 after beating Sharks FC of Port Harcourt.
In 2005 they reached the finals of the domestic FA Cup, where they lost to Enyimba.
They finished the 2008–09 season with 13 wins, 10 draws and 15 losses after winning a game on appeal against Enugu Rangers, avoiding the drop by one point.
In August 2009, the Benue State government announced the club would be leased to private ownership, ending direct support from the state, but that never materialised.
Lobi finished 3rd in Glo Premier League in 2012. They also reached the Federation Cup final that season but lost to Heartland F.C. of Owerri.
The Makurdi-based team has won the Nigeria Premier Football League once, lifted the FA Cup, and claimed the NPFL Super Four title, earning a reputation as one of the country’s respected sides.
The club has also represented Nigeria in continental tournaments, including the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
In recent years, however, Lobi Stars have struggled with administrative and performance challenges, prompting calls from fans and stakeholders for a comprehensive overhaul.
