FIFA Experts Arrive as 41 Administrators Set for FIFA Women’s Football Capacity-Building Programme

The three-day FIFA capacity-building programme for women’s football administrators in Nigeria, organised by the Nigeria Football Federation, will commence in Abuja on Friday.

FIFA women’s football technical experts Thubaelihle Sibanda and Tsholofelo Setlhoko have already arrived in the Federal Capital Territory as the NFF finalises preparations for the programme, which is designed to strengthen leadership, administration and strategic development in women’s football.

The FIFA-appointed resource persons will be joined by leading Nigerian football administrators and experts, including Aisha Falode, a member of the NFF Executive Committee and FIFA Media Committee, as well as a FIFA/CAF Match Commissioner.

Professor Mariam Suleiman of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education at Ahmadu Bello University, physical education and sports administration expert Dr Anthonia Uwa, and Mohammed Ameenu, a FIFA-trained technical instructor in refereeing and FIFA-certified safeguarding officer, will also serve as facilitators.

A total of 41 women’s football administrators will participate in the three-day programme.

The participants include 20 representatives from the Nigeria Women Football League, three secretaries of State Football Associations from Lagos, Yobe and Nasarawa States, and 15 NFF staff members.

Following the opening ceremony, which is expected to be performed by NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, Sibanda will lead sessions on FIFA’s overview of women’s football worldwide, leadership, and the planning and execution of women’s football programmes.

Setlhoko will focus on team leadership and leading others, while Professor Suleiman will speak on mentoring the girl-child. Ameenu will address result-based management and performance accountability in football.

The programme will continue on Saturday with Dr Uwa leading a session on bridging the gap between men’s and women’s football. Sibanda will subsequently examine the current realities of Nigeria’s women’s football landscape.

Falode will speak on the NFF Women’s Football Strategy and progress towards Nigeria’s first blueprint for women’s football, before Sibanda and Setlhoko lead sessions on strategic planning. Ameenu will also deliver a session on safeguarding.

The programme is expected to provide participants with enhanced knowledge and practical tools to improve the administration, leadership, strategic planning and long-term development of women’s football in Nigeria.