President Bola Tinubu has ordered a major overhaul of Nigerian football to overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments, www.aclsports.com reports.
The President’s directive came on the same day NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and members of his Executive Committee resigned from their positions amid mounting pressure following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the recently concluded WAFCON in Morocco.
“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” President Tinubu said in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).
“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 added.
President Tinubu also 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 process will include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.
NFF sacks NPFL Board and others
Following Thursday’s wave of resignations, the National Sports Commission has endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, until now Deputy General Secretary, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim General Secretary. Dr Ademola Olajire, until now Director of Media and Communications, will serve as interim Deputy General Secretary.
Consequently, the Chairmen, appointed Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers, who are members of staff of the NFF. Where the COOs are not members of staff of the NFF, the Ag. General Secretary shall deploy a new COO from the Federation.
These interim measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian Football during the transition and pending conclusion of engagements with FIFA, CAF, Government and stakeholders to design a roadmap towards the comprehensive reforms envisaged for Nigerian football, and the next steps for activation.
All processes initiated in preparation for the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for 27 September have also been suspended.
