Bizarre! NFF Sets Up Fact-Finding Committee on Nigeria’s Football Setbacks

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the country’s recent setbacks in international football, particularly the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

However, the decision has raised questions over whether the federation is genuinely seeking answers or attempting to shift responsibility for a crisis in which its own administrative and technical decisions should also come under scrutiny.

The Super Falcons, ten-time African champions and holders of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, were eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the ongoing 2026 tournament in Morocco before losing 1-2 to South Africa in the playoff for a place in the FIFA Inter-Confederation Playoffs.

The failure means Nigeria will miss the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, ending its record of appearing at every edition of the competition since its inauguration in 1991.

Former NFF General Secretary, Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON, will chair the committee, with former Nigeria U-20 coach and Nigeria Football Coaches Association president, Ladan Bosso; former Super Falcons captain and multiple Women’s AFCON winner, Desire Oparanozie; former Super Eagles captain and AFCON winner, Mutiu Adepoju; and former FIFA referee, Dr Alex Mana, as members.

Chairman of the Sokoto State Football Association, Mohammed Nasiru Sa’idu, will serve as secretary.

While the committee brings together individuals with considerable experience in Nigerian football, the NFF’s decision to investigate the setbacks itself has immediately raised questions about accountability.

Critics argue that any serious investigation should not focus only on coaches and players but should also examine the federation’s own decisions, including technical appointments, team preparation, player management, logistics, funding, administration and the overall supervision of the national teams.

For the exercise to command public confidence, the committee would need a clear and independent mandate, unrestricted access to relevant records and evidence, and a commitment from the NFF to publish its findings and implement credible recommendations.

Otherwise, there are concerns that the exercise could become another panel established after a major football failure without addressing the structural problems responsible for the setbacks.