President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerian football following a series of disappointing qualification failures involving the country’s national teams.
The President said the reform must go beyond changes to individual teams and address deeper problems affecting the way football is governed, administered and developed across the country.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
President Blames Structural Weaknesses for Football Crisis
Tinubu described football as Nigeria’s most popular sport and one of the biggest beneficiaries of government support, investment and public attention.
Despite the country’s abundance of football talent and strong public passion for the game, he said the sport has continued to struggle because of longstanding structural weaknesses.
According to the President, Nigeria must build institutions capable of matching the country’s football resources and talent with consistent performances on the international stage.
Reform to Target Governance and Player Development
The proposed overhaul is expected to cover several areas of Nigerian football, including governance, administration, stakeholder representation and accountability.
Tinubu also identified development pathways and domestic competitions as areas requiring significant attention.
The objective is to create a more effective football system in which talent can be properly developed while national teams are supported by stronger administrative structures and competitive domestic leagues.
National Sports Commission Given Key Role
Tinubu directed National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko to work with the Nigeria Football Federation Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders.
The President said the process should preserve continuity in essential football administration while a broader reform programme is developed.
The National Sports Commission, which was re-established as part of the wider reset of Nigeria’s sports sector, has already overseen progress in other sporting disciplines, according to Tinubu.
However, he noted that football continues to face structural difficulties that require a more focused intervention.
FIFA and CAF Engagement Required
The President also called for a broad and consultative process involving major stakeholders within Nigerian football.
Any reforms, he said, should include appropriate engagement with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football to ensure that changes remain consistent with Nigeria’s responsibilities under the international football system.
The emphasis on consultation is intended to bring administrators, stakeholders and other participants into the reform process rather than imposing changes without wider engagement.
NFF Board Resigns Amid Growing Pressure
The presidential directive came on the same day that Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau and other members of the NFF board reportedly resigned from their positions.
Their departures followed mounting concerns over the administration of Nigerian football and a series of disappointing results by the national teams.
The resignations have added to pressure for fundamental changes within the country’s football leadership.
Super Eagles Suffer Continued World Cup Setbacks
Nigeria’s men’s national team, the Super Eagles, have endured repeated disappointment in World Cup qualification.
The team has failed to secure qualification for consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, raising concerns about the direction of the national programme and the effectiveness of its football development structures.
For a country with Nigeria’s football history and talent pool, the repeated absence from the world’s biggest football tournament has intensified demands for reform.
Super Falcons Face Historic Women’s World Cup Blow
The crisis has also extended to women’s football.
The Super Falcons recently suffered the historic setback of failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, further increasing scrutiny of the country’s football administration and development systems.
The failure was particularly significant given Nigeria’s long-standing status as one of Africa’s leading women’s football nations.
Tinubu Calls for Collective Support
Tinubu urged football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and contribute to the creation of a stronger and more accountable system.
The President’s message suggests that the proposed changes will be broader than simply replacing football officials, with the government seeking reforms across administration, competitions, talent development and institutional accountability.
What Happens Next?
The National Sports Commission is expected to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant stakeholders as the reform process takes shape.
Engagement with FIFA and CAF will also be important as Nigeria seeks to ensure that domestic changes comply with international football regulations.
The immediate challenge will be translating the reform directive into practical measures capable of improving national-team performances while strengthening the structures responsible for producing and managing football talent.
Summary
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football after repeated failures by the country’s national teams to qualify for major tournaments.
The proposed overhaul will focus on governance, administration, stakeholder participation, player development, domestic competitions and accountability.
The directive follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and other board members and comes after the Super Eagles missed consecutive World Cups and the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The President has tasked National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko with working alongside the NFF Secretariat and stakeholders, including through appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF, to begin building what he described as a stronger and more successful football system.
