Sports

IMC Wraps Up Tenure — What’s the Future of Supporters’ Clubs?

Published

8 hours ago

February 12, 2026

In 2025, the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took a decisive step to end the long-standing crisis among the various football supporters’ groups in the country by constituting an Interim Management Committee (IMC) under a unified body known as the Nigeria Football and Sports Supporters Group (NFSSG).

The IMC was inaugurated in February 2025 with a clear mandate to unify the previously divided factions and reposition the supporters’ movement for stability and progress. Its tenure, as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by all parties, was strictly for one year.

Now that the one-year tenure has elapsed, the pressing question on the lips of many stakeholders is: what next for the supporters’ club.

It will be recalled that, Since the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Nigeria’s football supporters’ family has struggled with internal crises.

What began as minor disagreements gradually escalated, leading to fragmentation and the emergence of six different groups.Before the intervention of the NSC and NFF, Vincent Okumagba presided over the Super Eagles Supporters Club; Rev. Sam Ikpea led the Nigeria Football Supporters Club; Kemi Popoola headed the Football Fan Club of Nigeria; Abayomi Ogunjimi led the Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club; Sunny Gullong served as president of the Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club; while Johnson Dagana led the All Sports Supporters Club.

The prolonged leadership tussles and factional divisions weakened the collective voice of Nigerian supporters both locally and internationally.

In what many described as a bold and timely move, the NSC brought all the factions under one umbrella by setting up the Interim Management Committee to oversee the transition into a unified body.

The IMC was constituted with Vincent Okumagba as Chairman, Peter Abraham as Vice Chairman, Sunny Gullong as Secretary, Amaka Okediadi as Financial Secretary, and Johnson Dagana as Treasurer.

According to the terms of the MoU signed in February 2025, the IMC was established to pilot the affairs of the unified supporters’ body for a period of one year from the date of inauguration.

The agreement clearly stated as follow:“The IMC would comprise representatives from the formerly divided factions, with fair and equal representation.

“The committee would oversee the transition process, restructure the organisation, and lay the groundwork for future leadership.

“Members of the IMC would not use undue influence or any means to position themselves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.“The tenure of the IMC would be strictly one year, non-renewable, and non-extendable under any circumstances.

“Upon expiration of its tenure, a duly elected executive body would take over the affairs of the group.

“The agreement was duly signed by the leaders of the various factions, signaling a collective commitment to unity.”

With the expiration of the IMC’s tenure, stakeholders are now looking toward the next phase — the conduct of credible elections to usher in a democratically elected executive body, as clearly stipulated in the agreement.

The expectation among supporters and football enthusiasts is that the NSC and NFF will ensure a transparent transition process that consolidates the unity achieved over the past year.

For many observers, the success of the IMC will ultimately be measured not just by the temporary peace it restored, but by its ability to hand over to a legitimately elected leadership that commands the confidence of all members.

As Nigerian football continues to grow on the continental and global stage, a united and well-structured supporters’ body remains vital. The coming weeks will determine whether the gains of the past year will be sustained or whether old divisions will resurface.

The ball, once again, is in the court of the stakeholders.

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Sports

Nigeria Will Showcase Africa’s Excellence, Unity at 2026 AACT Golf Tournament — LGAN President

Published

10 hours ago

February 12, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, is set to welcome over 40 African nations as they converge for the 2026 All African Challenge Trophy (AACT) Golf Tournament, a landmark championship designed to celebrate excellence, unity and the enduring spirit of the continent.

The prestigious competition, scheduled to hold from November 1 to 7, 2026, at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, is expected to attract top golfing talents from across Africa, transforming the nation’s capital into a vibrant hub of sporting brilliance and continental solidarity.

Speaking at the official press briefing held at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, the President of the Ladies Golfers Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, said Nigeria will use the tournament as a platform to showcase Africa’s strength, excellence and unity to the world.

According to her, the championship is more than just a competition on the greens.

“It is a strategic platform to unite Africa through golf while showcasing Nigeria’s proven capacity to host world-class sporting events. We are hosting to win, and with the support of every Nigerian, we will give our very best,” she said.

Dr. Ahmed described the successful bid to host the tournament as a collective national achievement, stressing that Nigeria fought hard to secure the rights with the country’s interest at heart.

“We are determined to bring pride to our country, demonstrate the excellence of Africa, and reaffirm Nigeria’s status as a leading sporting nation capable of uniting the continent and the world. Now that we have won the bid, it is a victory for all Nigerians,” she stated.

She called on the media to amplify the story of the championship and urged corporate sponsors and critical stakeholders to support what she described as a Nigerian dream that transcends individuals and organisations.

The LGAN President also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to sports development as a tool for national cohesion and continental integration, noting that the President has consistently demonstrated moral and financial support for initiatives that promote unity through sports.

“It is our hope that President Tinubu will serve as Chief Host and officially declare the tournament open, while the First Lady performs the ceremonial tee-off in recognition of the championship’s celebration of women in sports,” she added.

She further expressed optimism that the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, will provide the necessary support to ensure a memorable and impactful event in Abuja.

Speaking via zoom, AACT President from Gabon, Madamè Cécile Poncet, described Nigeria as a trusted host with a proven capacity to deliver world-class events.

“We believe in Nigeria’s ability to provide a safe, vibrant, and competitive environment for all participating nations,” Poncet said.

“Africa’s best golfers will experience an unforgettable tournament.”

In her remarks, the AACT Trustee for West Central Africa, Mrs. Ekanem Ekwueme, commended LGAN for securing the hosting rights and noted that Nigeria will be hosting the tournament for the third time. She recalled that the country previously hosted the championship in 1996 at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos and in 2010 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

She explained that the AACT is a biennial tournament that rotates among the four geographical regions of Africa, expressing confidence that the 2026 edition would be a competition to remember.

To ensure a strong representation at the championship, LGAN has concluded plans to assemble a national team comprising three players and a captain. The identities of the players are being kept confidential as they undergo intensive training tours and participate in competitive tournaments ahead of the event. Selection will be strictly based on merit, with players drawn from handicap categories 0–6.

The 2026 All African Challenge Trophy is expected to deliver not only thrilling golf action but also a powerful message of Africa’s unity and shared excellence — proudly hosted by Nigeria.

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