Nasarawa United Mid-Season Transfer Window 2025-26: Okorie Departure, Oluka Arrival and What It Means

The mid-season transfer window brought both opportunity and challenge to Nasarawa United. The headline news was the departure of attacking star Ekeson Okorie to Police FC in Rwanda — a move that tested the club’s squad depth and forced the technical staff to act quickly in the loan market.

The Okorie Departure: Business Win, Sporting Loss

Ekeson Okorie’s exit mid-season was the most significant business of the window for Nasarawa United. Losing a player of his calibre — a forward whose creativity, direct running, and ability to produce in critical moments had been central to the Solid Miners’ strong first half of the 2025-26 season — was a blow to the starting XI.

But from a business perspective, the move was hailed internally as a significant win. Okorie’s transfer to Police FC in Rwanda demonstrated that Nasarawa United is becoming a legitimate launchpad for players seeking international careers — a reputation that attracts ambitious footballers who see the club as a platform rather than a destination. That perception, once established, is enormously valuable in the Nigerian transfer market.

The fee or compensation received for Okorie’s services allowed the club to reinvest, and the ability to attract and develop players to international level is the kind of commercial footprint that mid-tier NPFL clubs need to remain competitive over time.

Ngei Oluka Arrives on Loan From City FC

To fill the gap left by Okorie, Nasarawa United moved swiftly to secure Ngei Oluka on loan from City FC. The recruitment team’s brief was specific: find a player who offers similar tactical contributions to Okorie without disrupting the team’s established shape and rhythm.

Oluka fits that profile. His movement between the lines — the ability to drop into midfield to receive the ball and then drive forward — mirrors what Okorie provided. His work rate without the ball is high, which matters enormously in a Nasarawa United system that asks its attacking players to defend from the front when not in possession.

Loan arrangements of this nature — targeted, short-term solutions to specific squad gaps — are increasingly common among well-run NPFL clubs. They allow clubs to maintain quality without the financial commitment of a permanent purchase, and City FC’s willingness to loan Oluka indicates they see the move as beneficial for his development as well.

How the Window Affected the Dressing Room

Mid-season transfer activity can be disruptive — players leaving unsettles group dynamics, and arrivals need time to integrate. Nasarawa United’s coaching staff managed the transition carefully, limiting training disruption and giving Oluka structured time to understand the team’s tactical system before introducing him to competitive action.

The broader squad’s reaction to Okorie’s departure — and their acceptance of Oluka as his replacement — reflects a dressing room with the maturity to understand that player movement is part of professional football. The Solid Miners’ continued strong performances after the window closed confirmed that the transition had been handled well.

Nasarawa United’s Transfer Philosophy

The mid-season window activity was consistent with a broader Nasarawa United transfer philosophy under Chairman Solomon Babanjah: buy smart, develop players, and export talent at the right price. The club has no interest in acquiring high-earners who are not justified by their contribution to the pitch. Every addition must improve the starting XI or provide genuine competition for places.

This approach — more common in European football than Nigerian domestic football — is part of what has made Nasarawa United an increasingly respected name in NPFL circles over 2025-26.

For the full Nasarawa United FC club profile and season review, see our NPFL guide.