President Bola Tinubu has ordered a major reform of Nigerian football, saying structural problems have continued to hurt the country’s performance despite its wealth of talent, strong public support and investment.
Tinubu directed the National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other stakeholders to review football governance, administration, representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.
The move comes after repeated qualification setbacks and inconsistent results at regional, continental and global competitions.
In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said football had struggled while other sports made progress following the restructuring of the sector under the re-established NSC.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He said Nigeria’s huge football talent and passion must be backed by strong institutions.
“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” he said.
Tinubu ordered the NSC chairman to work with the NFF Secretariat and stakeholders to maintain essential football administration while driving a broad reform process.
The government will also consult FIFA and CAF to ensure Nigeria follows international football rules.
Tinubu urged football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and help build a stronger, more accountable football system.
The directive seeks to tackle long-standing problems in governance, development structures, domestic competitions and accountability, as Nigeria continues to struggle for consistency despite producing top footballers and enjoying huge public support.
