Sports
NFF Must Open Its Statute to Genuine Stakeholders to Rescue Nigerian Football-Amun
Joel Ajayi
Former member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ethics Committee, Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON), has called for a fundamental reform of the federation’s statutes, insisting that opening up the system to genuine and experienced stakeholders is critical to rescuing Nigerian football.
Amun made the call in Abuja on Monday while briefing journalists after the committee submitted its report on Nigeria’s recent poor performances in international football.
The committee was constituted following concerns over the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, which resulted in Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The six-member committee, chaired by Amun, examined several areas affecting Nigerian football, including governance, finance, technical development, grassroots football, player management and league administration.
Among its findings were challenges surrounding player release and communication, team preparation, medical and injury management, camp administration, technical coordination and player development. The committee also recommended better use of technology, improved data management and age verification, stronger regulations and closer monitoring of national teams.
It further called for deliberate development plans for both male and female football, regular training and retraining of technical and administrative personnel, improved league structures and better preparation for national team competitions.
A major concern raised by the committee was the alleged refusal of the NFF Congress to adopt necessary and workable amendments to the federation’s statutes to accommodate broader stakeholder participation.
According to Amun, the Congress should comprise experienced and credible personalities, with a maximum of two terms in office, to promote accountability and fresh ideas.
The committee also highlighted allegations concerning undue influence in national team invitations, financial inducements, unequal remuneration of players and officials, and the prolonged retention of some federation officials in lucrative positions.
Amun stressed that the recommendations must translate into practical reforms, backed by genuine political will.
The committee also urged the NFF to properly investigate all allegations, strengthen its internal mechanisms and adopt reforms capable of repositioning Nigerian football.
It, however, commended the Super Falcons for their efforts and urged all stakeholders to focus on rebuilding the system and restoring confidence in Nigerian football.
Sports
Tinubu, Fashola, Governors, UNESCO, Sports Leaders to Headline National Grassroots Sports Summit
Joel Ajayi
The stage is being set for a landmark gathering at the Presidential Villa as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and leading figures from government, sports administration and international development feature in the proposed opening-day programme of the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit 2026.
In a statement signed by Thursday by the Chairperson Media Sub-com National Grassroot Sports Summit Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi stated that, the two-day Summit, scheduled for November 18–19, 2026, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, is being organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye.
With the theme “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” the gathering seeks to produce practical solutions to Nigeria’s longstanding challenges in talent discovery, infrastructure, funding, coaching and athlete development.
The opening day, Wednesday, November 18, promises high-level engagement, with President Tinubu listed as Special Guest of Honour, while Fashola is scheduled to deliver a keynote address.
Also featuring in the Day One programme is Dr. Tayo Aduloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), whose organization has been engaged as technical partner to help translate discussions into a workable development roadmap.
Other personalities and institutions on the opening-day lineup include the Chairman and Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum; the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); and the Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Nigeria.
Also listed are Barrister Enitan Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation; the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee; and Dr. Musa Nakorji of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Research Department.
The involvement of these personalities reflects the Summit’s emphasis on connecting sports development with economic planning, education, grassroots governance, international cooperation and private-sector investment.
Adeboye described the gathering as an opportunity to move Nigerian sports beyond isolated achievements towards a coordinated national development system.
“The real question is not whether Nigeria has sporting talent.
We know we have talent in abundance. The question is how we build a system that discovers, nurtures and supports that talent consistently, from our communities and schools to the international stage,” he said.
He stressed that the participation of state governments, local councils, development institutions and sports administrators would be critical to producing lasting outcomes.
The Summit will continue on Thursday, November 19, with further stakeholder engagements aimed at developing actionable recommendations for sustainable grassroots sports development with preparations intensifying, organizers are confident that the gathering will provide a defining platform for strengthening the foundation of Nigerian sports and expanding opportunities for young people nationwide.
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