Sports
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau Reflects on Achievements and Plans for Nigerian Football
NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigerian football, assuring the public of concerted efforts to push the sport forward. Celebrating his second year in office on Monday, Gusau highlighted several significant achievements under his administration since his election in 2022.
One of the major successes, according to Gusau, is the stability within Nigerian football, which has contributed to the improved performance of both the men’s and women’s national teams on the international stage. He noted the Super Eagles’ close call at the 2024 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where they narrowly missed clinching the title.
“We have seen remarkable progress in women’s football, particularly with the Super Falcons reaching the knockout stages of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup without a single defeat in regulation time,” Gusau stated. “This is a reflection of the enhanced preparation and support from our administration. The Super Falcons performed admirably and were among the top 12 teams at the 2024 Olympics, showcasing their strength. Our investment in their preparation was key to this success.”
He added that Nigeria’s junior women’s teams, the Falconets and the Flamingos, continue to dominate at the continental level and rank among the best globally. “We are committed to supporting these teams because they represent the future of Nigerian women’s football and serve as a talent pool for the Super Falcons,” Gusau said.
Gusau also emphasized his administration’s focus on promoting women’s football, particularly through the revitalization of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), which has increased the visibility and success of the sport nationwide.
In addition to women’s football, Gusau highlighted the efforts being made to ensure credible seasons for all Nigerian leagues, including the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the Nigerian National League (NNL), the Nationwide League, and the Nigerian Women’s League. “We are collaborating with various stakeholders to improve different aspects of the game. Our strong relationships with FIFA and CAF have also secured additional technical support for Nigerian football,” he said.
The NFF President reiterated his commitment to transparency, stating that it is essential to boosting corporate sponsorships and addressing long-standing funding challenges faced by the federation. He also introduced performance-based bonuses for players and coaches, a move that has motivated higher performance levels across Nigerian football.
Looking ahead, Gusau outlined his goals for the next two years, stating that the focus will be on ensuring Nigeria qualifies for all major tournaments and brings home laurels. “Our goal is clear: we want to see Nigeria’s flag flying high in every competition we enter,” he concluded.
Before becoming NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau served as the chairman of the Zamfara Football Association, a committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and a member of the CAF Youth Organizing Committee. An accountant by profession, he was elected as the 40th president of the NFF at the 78th Elective Congress in Benin City, Edo State, on September 30, 2022, succeeding Amaju Pinnick.
Sports
NLO’s Shola Ogunowo Earns Praise for Driving Grassroots Football and Exemplifying Integrity
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian football community has lauded Mr. Shola Ogunowo, Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One (NLO), for his unwavering commitment to integrity and the development of grassroots football, earning him widespread respect and admiration across the sporting landscape.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by Okechukwu Okebugwu, Mr. Ogunowo was praised as a transformative leader who has redefined the ethics and standards of football administration at the grassroots level. According to the release, Ogunowo has emerged as a “leading figure in the fight against match-fixing, bribery, and all forms of corruption” that have plagued the lower tiers of Nigerian football for decades.
Through consistent enforcement of transparency, fairness, and accountability, Mr. Ogunowo is steering the NLO toward becoming a credible platform where talent can be discovered and nurtured based on merit, rather than manipulation or favoritism.
“In an environment where shortcuts and compromises are all too common, Shola Ogunowo has remained a pillar of integrity,” Okebugwu stated. “He is restoring credibility to grassroots football by ensuring that fair play, discipline, and professionalism are non-negotiable.”
Since taking over as COO, Ogunowo has spearheaded a number of structural reforms aimed at instilling discipline and operational excellence among participating clubs. These include stricter licensing requirements, performance audits, and compliance monitoring to ensure clubs uphold the league’s code of conduct. His administration has also emphasized youth development, with a renewed focus on coaching education and player welfare.
The result is a reinvigorated Nationwide League One that is beginning to attract renewed attention from fans, corporate sponsors, and local communities. Observers say Ogunowo’s leadership is helping reshape perceptions of grassroots football—not just as a stepping stone to the elite leagues, but as a vital foundation for the future of Nigerian football.
“His leadership is not only impacting the pitch—it’s rebuilding trust, creating real value, and setting a good standard for sports administration in Nigeria,” Okebugwu concluded.
As the NLO season progresses, many stakeholders believe that with figures like Shola Ogunowo at the helm, the future of grassroots football in Nigeria is not only secure, but promising.
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