Eagles legend Odegbami knocks NFF electoral process

Former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami has urged a temporary suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation's upcoming elections, contending that the country's football administration has not aligned with the immense talent and potential present in Nigerian football, as reported by Sunday PUNCH. The NFF's 2026 Executive Committee elections, set for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, have been postponed by one day to September 26 to accommodate the Super Eagles' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

Odegbami highlighted decades-long issues within football administration that have become deeply embedded in the system. "The reality is that football administration in the past two decades, in particular, has not matched or complemented the level of talent and possible achievements," he stated. Odegbami blamed faulty decisions dating back to the early 1990s for the stunted growth of Nigerian football, noting that these decisions, while likely made out of ignorance, have evolved into an entrenched system that is now challenging to reform due to the continued presence of those who benefited from them.

"These have grown, sustained and become the norm in our football, a monster that now needs the creators of it to rid it of its venom. They won't do it because they are also the beneficiaries of the faulty architecture," he added. Odegbami also criticized the traditional manner in which NFF elections are conducted, describing them as a frequent source of controversy.

He argued that the shortcomings in administration have hindered Nigerian football from becoming the economic and youth-development engine it could be, depriving young people of opportunities and hindering the country's economic potential. "All of these to the detriment of the country that loves its football with passion but can only look on helplessly as football continues to fail to achieve its full potential, fails to boost the country’s economy, and fails to empower the country’s gifted youths with the best opportunities that are available all over the world," Odegbami lamented.

The former international called for a temporary pause in the electoral process, urging all Nigerians, including members of the Nigerian Football Association, to understand the necessity of giving Nigerian football time to reassess and address its long-standing problems.