President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive mandating a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s football structure, targeting the Nigeria Football Federation and the country’s domestic league system in response to persistent failures on the international stage.
The presidential order, announced on Thursday, comes amid growing frustration over Nigeria’s inability to secure qualification for major tournaments despite being Africa’s most populous nation and a traditional football powerhouse. The President specifically cited repeated setbacks in regional, continental, and global competitions as evidence of deep-seated structural deficiencies.
According to a statement from the Presidency, the reform agenda will address governance frameworks, administrative efficiency, stakeholder representation, player development pathways, and accountability mechanisms across all levels of the game. The President emphasised that football, which enjoys unparalleled public support and attracts the highest level of national investment among all sports, has not delivered commensurate returns.
While acknowledging progress in other sporting disciplines following the reestablishment of the National Sports Commission, President Tinubu noted that football has remained mired in institutional weaknesses that undermine the country’s abundant talent pool and passionate fan base.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission has been directed to collaborate with the NFF Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to ensure seamless administration during the transition period. The reform process will be broad-based and consultative, with appropriate engagements planned with FIFA and CAF to ensure Nigeria remains compliant with its international obligations.
The President called on all football stakeholders, including club owners, players, coaches, and supporters, to embrace the reform process and contribute to building a more accountable and successful football system that matches the nation’s potential.
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