Ladipo Blames NFF for Crippling Nigeria’s Once-United Supporters Club

By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York

The President General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Worldwide, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of playing a major role in the fragmentation of what was once a unified supporters movement in Nigeria.

In an exclusive interview with JerseyNumber12 on Thursday, Dr. Ladipo alleged that the former NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, and members of his board, deliberately encouraged division within the Association by supporting the creation of rival factions by top members of the group.

“The crisis began when 13 of our members broke away to form a rival group. Unfortunately, those 13 later went ahead to create an additional 13 separate groups, all with the endorsement of Amaju Pinnick and his board,” Ladipo said.

He referenced an interview Pinnick granted on “Mathematical 7” radio, hosted by former Super Eagles star Segun Odegbami, where the ex-NFF president reportedly stated there was “nothing wrong” with having multiple versions of the Supporters Club.

“If he really cared about Nigerian football, he would have stayed out of our affairs. For over 70 years, we had remained one strong and united body. It was under Amaju that this unprecedented crisis erupted,” Ladipo lamented.

Despite the turmoil, Dr. Ladipo assured Nigerian football fans that the Supporters’ Club remains committed to supporting the Super Eagles at the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

“Regardless of the challenges we may face, we will be in Morocco. Our mission remains the same and that’s to cheer the Super Eagles to victory and hopefully witness our fourth continental title,” he affirmed.

It should be recalled that the once-unified Nigeria Football Supporters Club has splintered in recent years due to leadership tussles, allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and political interference. Multiple factions now exist, each laying claim to legitimacy, a development that has weakened the influence and cohesion of the iconic supporters’ body.