Should Nigeria focus on recruiting more foreign-born players?

The country has ‘gained a son’ that some have tagged a capable replacement for vicent between the sticks. Many would be surprised to see the Wolverhampton Wanderers shot stopper manning the goal posts for the 2017 Afcon champions and would probably ask: "who be dis oyinbo?"

"Nigeria  may have lost two points, but it gained a son", was the summation of solace about carl ikeme after the latter's heroics against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar es Salaam last weekend.
When Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick assumed office, he had made it a priority to go all out and convince many players of Nigerian descent abroad to don the green and white of the Super Eagles.

Carl may have been one of the ‘first fruits’ of the NFF's resolve to call in foreign-trained Nigerian players to help beef up the senior national team after what seems like a period in the wilderness for the national side.
Of recent players, the likes of Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, William Troost –Ekong, to name a few, have been persuaded to switch nationality to play for Nigeria after representing other countries at cadet/junior level. One cannot easily forget the efforts to also convince Liverpool sensation Jordan Ibe to drop anchor with Nigeria, despite having represented England at youth level. Unfortunately, the 19-year-old choose to play for England  

While the move by the nation's football governing body seems to be yielding dividends, especially with Moses's pivotal role in the 2013 Afcon conquest, and Ikeme's eye-catching performance last weekend, it may appear logical to say that we have found a permanent solution that will peg Nigeria back on the rope of great footballing countries of the world.
However, this stance by the NFF portends a lack of faith in the local league.
Relying on players of Nigerian descent abroad to switch nationality to play for Nigeria is akin to telling us that the local league does not have quality players to do the work.
Yes, the country needs the best hands to fly our colours on the pitch but at best, this move is transient and short-sighted. In the long run, it can never help Nigeria return to their true glory days.
The Pinnick-led body should work on the Nigerian league and augment players from it with foreign-born talents. Let [the NFF] improve the league and stop waiting for other countries to do the dirty work while we hope to reap the harvest.
Besides, many of these foreign-bred footballers may find it hard adapting to a new environment since all or the better part of their lives has been spent abroad. And for the coaches, working with them might not be as easy as with those who are domiciled in Nigeria and familiar with the nation’s ways, this is aside the financial and bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with nationality switch.
Although, as former Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba said: " We need to...bring in these young players to help out..." and having ‘gained a son’ in the mode of Ikeme and a host of other players littered abroad (like Spain youth international and Real Madrid B team defender, Derik Osede Prieto) who ‘craves something special with Nigeria...’, it is advisable not to rely too heavily on them or make them the bedrock of the national teams; more attention should be given to the local league, thus unearthing raw talents for the country.