Group Demands FG’s Intervention in NFF’s Elective Congress as Deadline for Submission of Forms Ends Today

Ahead of the September 27, 2026 elective congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board, a gloomy outlook has been painted for the future of football in Nigeria. This assessment aligns with the concerns raised by several aspirants who fear the process is biased towards incumbent President Ibrahim Musa Gusau. Speaking on the matter, Prince Harrison Jalla, the Chairman of Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reforms Initiative, highlighted that "all indicators are pointing to a gloomy picture for the future of Nigerian football, mainly due to administrative ineptitude."

Two legal cases at the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court are demanding reforms and enforcement of pending court judgments related to the upcoming election. The National Sports Commission (NSC), the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Sports, and the Senate Committee on Sports are currently observing the situation without taking active measures.

Jalla also pointed out that two Presidential directives for comprehensive reforms are pending, leaving the NSC and the two chambers of the National Assembly with little left to do to fulfill their statutory duties.

Jalla believes that Nigerian football has been controlled since 2008, with state football association chairmen lacking the capacity to improve the sport. He supports those who wished to contest for NFF board positions but were unable to do so due to the predetermined outcome of the elections. One such candidate, whose identity is known only to THISDAY, expressed frustration over the difficulty in securing endorsements from across the six geopolitical zones.

The candidate claims that only Lagos State has agreed to sign their nomination form so far, and that those willing to endorse them are declining due to fear of political repercussions.

As the deadline for submitting nomination forms approaches, the aspirant advises Gusau and his associates to allow for free and fair elections. They question why those in power are hesitant to permit other candidates to participate if they are genuinely popular. The candidate suggests that if they trust their popularity, they should allow all aspirants to run and let delegates decide on election day instead of pre-emptively filtering the field.

Jalla concludes by urging the Federal Government and relevant agencies to intervene in the administrative crisis and corruption within Nigerian football to prevent a potential breakdown of law and order.