Emphasis on Reforms
By Wale Joseph
Members of the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), meeting at Reno Hotel, Katampe, Abuja, have welcomed and commended the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for comprehensive reform of Nigerian football.
All members expressed their commitment to support and align with the reforms that may emerge from the process. The members further thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unprecedented support and funding for Nigerian football.
Mr. President’s strong commitment to the growth of the game and indeed sports is deeply appreciated. Members acknowledged and agreed that Nigerian football requires urgent reform and a hard reset to improve governance, transparency, accountability, stakeholder representation, domestic competitions and overall development. These reforms are necessary to place Nigerian football on a stronger footing and ensure sustainable success on and off the pitch.
Following the meeting, a delegation of the congress members drawn from all zones and key football constituencies, including players, coaches, referees, the media and other stakeholders, met with the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko on Friday, 28 August, 2026 at the NSC Headquarters.
The delegation received further briefing from the Chairman on the vision and objectives of the President’s reform agenda for football, sports infrastructure development, funding, harnessing the potentials of the sports economy and indeed the renewed hope initiative for Nigeria’s sports economy (RHINSE) framework.
The members on behalf of the entire congress pledged its unconditional alignment and support for the process.
Members of Congress will await the outcome of the engagements among the NSC, FIFA and CAF. Thereafter, it will support the activation and implementation of the reform process in accordance with the roadmap and framework agreed by the relevant parties.
Members further agreed that football is a prime national asset and must align with the President’s wider reform agenda.
All stakeholders must therefore be ready to embrace the reforms, and neither personal interests nor fears about taking the road less travelled, and the changes the reform may bring, should stand in the way of Nigerian football’s progress.
As a major stakeholder in the NFF, Congress remains ready to play its part in restoring confidence, stability and delivering lasting success for Nigerian football, in line with the objectives of the President’s directives.
