Sports

Lagos FA Chairman Throws Weight Behind Gusau’s NFF Leadership

Published

6 months ago

March 24, 2026

Cyril Ogar

The Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Gafar, says the revision of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF statutes after 16 years repres ents a significant milestone in aligning Nigerian football with global best practices.

Gafar who stated this during a press briefing in Lagos said the development is a masterstroke and an unprecedented achievement recorded by the NFF under the leadership of the President, Ibrahim Gusau.

Reacting to the just concluded NFF Extraordinary Assembly in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Gafar expressed President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will return elected as the President in September.

The Lagos FA Chairman hailed the bold decision by the NFF to amend the statutes as a landmark moment that signals a new era for Nigerian football.

“The outlook is entirely positive. The revision of the statutes after 16 years is a monumental and unprecedented achievement. It marks the beginning of a new era for Nigerian football. Congress collectively agreed on the need to update the statutes to reflect modern realities and align with international standards.”

Gafar added that the successful amendment of the statutes stands as a major victory for the game in Nigeria.

He emphasized that the new statutes will positively impact domestic football, particularly by enhancing inclusivity in decision-making.

Gafar said it was heart-warming that NPFL clubs will now have five representatives with voting rights, while the NNL will have four delegates, two of whom will vote.

“It will encourage private investors to come into the league because they see transparency, inclusivity and accountability,” he said.

Speaking further, he encouraged the Nationwide League One (NLO) to consider transitioning into a fully professional structure, noting FIFA’s provision that allows players from the age of 15 to sign professional contracts under appropriate guidance.

“With the removal of the term ‘Amateur’ from the league, there is now a clear pathway for the NLO to operate professionally. FIFA allows players aged 15 and above to sign professional contracts within their country, under parental or guardian supervision. This presents a great opportunity to create a structured, professional environment for young talents to thrive.”

He also commended the leadership of the NFF under President Ibrahim Gusau, rating the administration positively for navigating the complexities of football governance in Nigeria.

“Managing football in a country like Nigeria is not an easy task. With over 200 million passionate and knowledgeable people, the challenges are enormous. For the current leadership to have sustained stability over the past three and a half years is commendable. In my view, they deserve continuity.

“You have to look at the success of the NPFL, at week 31 it is recording unpredictable results. That is part of the achievements of the year NFF led by Ibrahim Gusau,” he added.

He also listed other achievements of the Gusau administration especially in making judicious use of funds to improve infrastructure and the chance given to major stakeholders to have a say in how football is run in the country.

“Then there is the landmark construction of the FIFA Goal Project, hostel and pitches in Abuja. Now the amendment of the statutes is for the success of the NPFL.

“Giving them voting power is definitely giving major stakeholders chance to be part of the decision-making process of Nigerian football,” he concluded.

Gafar expressed his support for Gusau’s re-election, citing consistency and innovative leadership as key factors.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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