President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following the country’s recent failure to qualify for several major international competitions.
The directive came after the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the federation’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, and members of the NFF Executive Committee resigned amid growing concerns over the declining fortunes of Nigerian football.
In a statement, the NFF said the mass resignations were aimed at creating room for a comprehensive and orderly reform process that would address longstanding challenges in the administration, governance and development of the sport.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the reform was necessary to tackle the structural weaknesses responsible for Nigeria’s repeated struggles in regional, continental and global competitions.
Tinubu said the reform must focus on strengthening football governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.
“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and one of the greatest beneficiaries of public support and investment, has continued to struggle largely because of structural deficits within the system,” the President said.
He expressed optimism that a comprehensive restructuring of the sector would help restore Nigerian football to its former glory and position the country for greater success on the international stage.