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President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following the country’s repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and global tournaments.
Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation secretariat and other stakeholders to develop reforms covering governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development, domestic competitions and accountability.
“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” Tinubu said.
The President said football had continued to struggle despite being Nigeria’s most popular sport and receiving significant public support, investment and national attention, blaming the situation largely on structural weaknesses within the system.
“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” he said.
Tinubu said Nigerian football must translate the country’s abundant talent, passion and resources into stronger institutions and sustained performances, rather than continue to fall short in major competitions.
He tasked the NSC chairman with ensuring continuity in essential football administration while leading a broad and consultative reform process involving relevant stakeholders.
The process, according to the President, should include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while ensuring that Nigeria continues to meet its obligations under the international football framework.
Tinubu also urged football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work collectively towards a stronger, more accountable football system capable of delivering sustained success for the country.
