Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has appointed Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso, Dan Wadatan Nupe — Founder and President of Pape Academy — as Chairman of the Niger Tornadoes Management Committee.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the Governor indicated that the appointment takes immediate effect. The Farmer Governor expressed confidence in Dr. Kuso's ability to turn things around in the Niger Tornadoes camp through competent, proactive measures.

While congratulating Dr. Kuso on the appointment, Governor Bago said he remains optimistic that the new Chairman will use his wealth of experience to take Niger Tornadoes back to its glory days, and urged the management team to rally round him and work together for the progress and success of the team.

Dr. Kuso takes over from Engr. Ibrahim Dada, who resigned to vie for the seat of Bosso/Paikoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Beyond football, Dr. Kuso, the Dan Wadatan Nupe, is the Executive Director of Planning and Design at the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, where he oversees the planning and design of development projects across Niger State, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The appointment places one of Niger State's most passionate football developers at the helm of the state's flagship professional club. In just a few years, Dr. Kuso has taken Pape Academy from a local training ground in Minna to a structured football institution — inaugurating a full management committee and technical crew, completing official player registrations under NFF and Niger State FA supervision, and steering the club to a runners-up finish in its debut NLO 2025/2026 Bida Centre campaign.

The management, technical crew, players, parents, and the entire Pape Academy family warmly congratulate our President on this milestone. We have no doubt that the same vision, discipline, and integrity that built Pape Academy will now be brought to bear at Niger Tornadoes, and we wish him a hugely successful tenure.

Dr. Kuso remains the Founder and President of Pape Academy, and the club's mission — creating pathways for the most talented young footballers in Niger State — continues with full momentum. Congratulations, Mr. President. Niger State football wins again.