President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, directing authorities to address the structural and administrative weaknesses blamed for the country’s repeated failure to qualify for major regional, continental and global competitions.
The President said the reform must go beyond the performance of individual national teams and focus on rebuilding the systems that govern Nigerian football. Key areas identified include governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.
Tinubu expressed concern that football, despite being Nigeria’s most popular sport and receiving significant public attention, investment and support, has continued to underperform because of deep-rooted structural deficiencies.
According to the President, the country possesses exceptional football talent, passion and resources, but these advantages must be matched by stronger institutions, effective administration and sustainable development structures capable of producing consistent results.
He noted that other sports have begun recording progress following the reset of Nigeria’s sports administration through the re-establishment of the National Sports Commission, while football continues to face challenges requiring urgent institutional intervention.
To drive the process, Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to maintain essential football administration while initiating a broad and consultative reform process.
The President also directed that the reform process include appropriate engagement with the world and continental football governing bodies, FIFA and CAF, while ensuring that Nigeria continues to meet its obligations within the international football framework.
The directive comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over Nigeria’s declining fortunes across several levels of the game, including the senior national teams, youth development, domestic competitions and the broader football administration.
Tinubu called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition, stressing the need for collective action to build a football system that is more transparent, accountable, development-oriented and capable of translating Nigeria’s enormous football potential into sustained international success.