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Nigeria’s football fraternity may finally be turning a corner. Following a landmark three-hour meeting in Abuja between stakeholders and a visiting FIFA delegation, 1980 AFCON-winning captain Segun Odegbami has given the encounter a resounding thumbs up, describing it as “a blessing” that could pave the way for long-awaited reforms in the country’s football administration.
Writing on his Facebook page, the former Green Eagles skipper, fondly nicknamed “Mathematical,” was among stakeholders present at the session and did not hide his optimism afterwards.
“I was not surprised at the conviviality of it all,” Odegbami said, reflecting on the atmosphere in the room. “Providence has a hand in the way things have been coming together like a joy saw puzzle.”
According to the football icon, members of the Nigerian football family engaged each other warmly and without friction throughout the discussions. “Members of the Nigerian football fraternity were brought together today in a friendly spirit like old friends. They discussed without any rancor during the session that I attended,” he noted. “It went like a breeze.”
Odegbami also commended the FIFA delegation for their grasp of the issues plaguing the Nigerian game, revealing that their input showed a depth of understanding that would strengthen their eventual report.
“The FIFA delegation, in their few remarks during the conversation, demonstrated that they know the main issues with Nigerian football pretty well,” he said. “The meetings have added to their knowledge and would enrich their report to FIFA. They, obviously, were very well briefed.”
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By the time the marathon meeting wrapped up, the mood, he said, was overwhelmingly positive — and the message clear: change is on the horizon regardless of the political wrangling around a Normalization Committee.
“At the end of the 3-hour meeting, the feeling I left with was good,” Odegbami stated. “This particular FIFA intervention is a blessing, a necessary step to take in order to enforce any reforms that will come soon. Reforms are coming, with or without a Normalization Committee.”
He further disclosed that stakeholders appeared united on the priority issues requiring urgent attention, while acknowledging that FIFA remains the only body with the authority to enforce whatever decisions are eventually reached.
“It was also clear that everyone is on the same page as to the few key issues that need immediate attention first,” he said. “It is also clear that only FIFA can provide the instrument to enforce any final decisions. There shall be likely compromises by all the parties, everyone giving up a little and taking a little!”
Odegbami rounded off his account on a celebratory note, signalling confidence that the Abuja meeting had achieved its purpose.
“Mission to Abuja accomplished,” he said. “I could not wait to ‘wash’ the good feelings everyone seemed to leave with.”
