Tinubu cracks down on NFF, orders football reform
…Governance shake-up begins as scrutiny of N17bn intervention fund deepens
…NSC to coordinate transition as FIFA, CAF engagement begins
By Ismail Azeez
Tinubu Orders Comprehensive Reform of Nigerian Football
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following months of crisis and controversy that have engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The President said the reform was necessary to address repeated failures by Nigerian football to qualify for major regional, continental and global competitions, while also tackling longstanding structural weaknesses in the administration of the game.
The NFF has faced intense criticism from football stakeholders and fans in recent months over poor performances, unresolved issues involving players’ wages and bonuses, as well as growing concerns about transparency and accountability.
The crisis deepened following reports that security and other investigative agencies had begun scrutinising the utilisation of the N17 billion intervention fund approved by the Federal Government in 2024 to offset outstanding wages and bonuses owed to Nigeria’s national teams.
It would be recalled that Ibrahim Musa Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, resigned from office alongside other members of the federation’s Executive Committee, bringing his administration to an abrupt end following mounting pressure over Nigeria’s recent poor performances in international football and growing concerns about the management of the country’s football system.
The President, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the reform would focus on strengthening governance, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football.
He said Nigerian football must be repositioned to reflect the country’s talent, passion and resources, while creating stronger structures capable of converting those advantages into sustained success.
Tinubu stressed that the country could no longer afford a football system in which its exceptional talent and resources failed to translate into consistent success on the international stage.
He added that Nigerian football must match the country’s exceptional talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions and sustained performance.
President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration and facilitate a broad, consultative reform process.
The President also called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work collectively towards building a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.
According to the President: “The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football.»
“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system.
“The process will include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.”