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By Joe Apu
A coalition of Nigerian football stakeholders has unveiled plans for a nationwide peaceful protest aimed at compelling the Federal Government to intervene in what they describe as the alarming deterioration of football in the country.
The group, currently holding wide consultations across the football community, says the march will take place in major cities and is designed to protect the future of Nigerian youths who, they argue, are the ultimate victims of the sport’s ongoing crisis.
According to the convener, Prince Harrison Jalla, the stakeholders are calling for the immediate resignation of the Ibrahim Gusau–led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board, which they insist is illegally constituted. They are also demanding the enforcement of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1006M1/2022, a ruling they claim has not been implemented despite its implications for football governance.
The group is further urging the Federal Government to launch a comprehensive probe into what they describe as years of rot and financial scandals within Nigerian football. This investigation, they say, should cover all funds received from FIFA, CAF, corporate sponsorships.
and appropriations from the National Assembly through the Federation Account dating back to September 30, 2014. They argue that transparency and accountability are essential if public confidence in the administration of the game is to be restored.
Beyond financial concerns, stakeholders are also calling for a thorough enquiry into Nigeria’s recurring failures on the pitch.
They point to Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as well as the back-to-back failures to reach the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, as evidence of deep-seated structural problems.
They also cite the poor performance of the country’s age-grade national teams as further justification for urgent reform.
Another major grievance is the prolonged non-payment of allowances and match bonuses owed to players across various national team categories. The group insists that all outstanding payments dating from 2019 to the present must be settled immediately. They argue that the welfare of players has been consistently neglected, contributing to low morale and underperformance.
As part of their broader call for systemic reform, the stakeholders are also pushing for the immediate constitution of the National Sports Commission Board. They believe this step is critical to restoring proper oversight and creating an environment where Nigerian football can undergo meaningful restructuring and regain stability.
Jalla stressed that the protest is entirely peaceful and devoid of political motives, emphasizing that it is a constitutional exercise aimed solely at rescuing Nigeria’s football sector from what he described as a “clique” that has allegedly hijacked it for personal gain. The protest is expected to begin soon in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before spreading to other cities across the federation.
