President Tinubu Directs Comprehensive Reform of Nigerian Football
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football in response to the country’s repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and global competitions.
The President said the reform must address longstanding deficiencies in football governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development, domestic competitions and accountability.
He noted that while other sports have made significant progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, Nigerian football has continued to struggle because of structural weaknesses.
‘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 stressed that Nigeria must begin to match its enormous football talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions and sustained success on the pitch.
President Tinubu has consequently directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration while facilitating a broad and consultative reform process.
According to the directive, the reform process will also involve appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF, while ensuring that Nigeria meets its obligations under the international football framework.
The President called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition, saying the collective objective must be to build a stronger, more accountable and successful football system capable of delivering results that reflect the country’s vast potential.
