By Stephen Simon
A group advocating reforms in Nigerian football has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the planned Nigeria Football Federation elective congress, amid growing concerns over the process leading to the September 27 election.
The call came as the deadline for the submission of nomination forms for the NFF election ended on Wednesday, with stakeholders expressing concern over the direction of the federation and the credibility of the electoral process.
The group said government intervention was necessary to prevent the election from deepening existing divisions within Nigerian football. It argued that the country needed an NFF leadership capable of restoring confidence, strengthening administration and addressing longstanding structural problems in the game.
The development comes against the background of increasing disagreements among football stakeholders over the management of the country’s football affairs. Some stakeholders have demanded reforms, arguing that the NFF requires greater transparency, accountability and a more inclusive approach to administration.
The September election is expected to determine the leadership of the federation for the next administration and could have significant implications for the development of Nigerian football, including the national teams, domestic competitions and the country’s relationship with international football bodies.
Meanwhile, the NFF has continued preparations for the elective congress, with candidates and stakeholders expected to complete the necessary processes ahead of the election. The federation has also faced renewed scrutiny following the Super Falcons’ disappointing WAFCON campaign and subsequent calls for accountability.
The latest controversy comes shortly after the NFF apologised to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians over the Super Falcons’ WAFCON setback. The federation expressed regret over the team’s failure to retain the title, while calls for an examination of the country’s football administration have intensified.
With the nomination deadline now reached, attention will increasingly shift to the list of candidates and the conduct of the September 27 congress. For Nigerian football stakeholders, the major test will be whether the electoral process can produce an administration capable of uniting the football community and delivering meaningful reforms.
