Jalla accuses FIFA of undue interference in Nigeria Football Federation elections
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President of FIFA, Prince Harrison Jalla, a prominent stakeholder in Nigerian football, has accused the global football governing body of meddling in the electoral affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
The letter, dated September 23, 2025, was sent through FIFA’s General Secretary and raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and legality of the NFF congress which started on Thursday and will till Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Jalla’s letter highlights that the NFF’s electoral process is currently sub judice, with ongoing legal disputes stemming from the controversial September 2022 elections.
He references two active cases viz Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021 and Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1006/2002, arguing that any attempt by FIFA to endorse or participate in the congress would constitute contempt of court.
‘It would be contemptuous of Nigerian law if any third party, either by commission or omission, attempts to circumvent or undermine our judicial process,’ Jalla warned, adding that FIFA officials could face criminal contempt proceedings.
Jalla accuses FIFA of violating its own statutes, specifically Articles 2 and 15, by interfering in what he describes as a ‘purely internal issue.’
He also cites Articles 18 and 30 of the NFF Statutes, which outline the procedures for amending federation rules, asserting that the proposed congress is an illegitimate attempt to rubber-stamp cosmetic changes to the electoral framework.
He claims that the current structure enables ‘charlatans’ to emerge as leaders every four years, perpetuating corruption and undermining the development of Nigerian football.
The letter goes further to allege that FIFA has turned a blind eye to widespread corruption in Nigeria’s football administration.
Jalla accuses FIFA of shielding the misappropriation of funds, including annual grants and the FIFA Forward 1 and 2 programs, over the past decade.
‘Despite several complaints by Nigerian football stakeholders… FIFA has deliberately shielded corruption in Nigeria for the last 10 years,’ Jalla wrote.
