President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football in response to the country’s repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments.
Tinubu said the reform must address longstanding weaknesses in the governance and administration of Nigerian football, while improving stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across the sport.
The President noted that while other sports have recorded meaningful progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has continued to struggle due to structural weaknesses within the system.
“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 Nigerian football must match the country’s exceptional talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions, effective administration and sustained performance.
Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration and facilitate a broad and consultative reform process.
The reform process will also involve appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.
The President called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work collectively towards building a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.
