NFF Congress Backs Football Reform, Demands Lawful Path to New Leadership
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress has backed comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football but insists that the process must follow Nigerian law, the NFF Statutes and relevant FIFA and CAF regulations.
In a reform proposal dated September 2026, the Congress said the resignation of the NFF Executive Committee and General Secretary had created a serious leadership vacuum.
However, it stressed that the situation does not mean the NFF has been dissolved or that Congress has lost its constitutional powers.
The Congress said the NFF Statutes already provide a process for dealing with leadership vacancies through an Extraordinary Congress.
It therefore proposed that the reform process should begin with the activation of the appropriate Congress, followed by a review of the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code, verification of electoral constituencies and stakeholder structures, and eventually the conduct of fresh elections.
Congress supports major reforms
The Congress said it supports wide-ranging reforms covering governance, league administration, commercialisation, funding, infrastructure, player welfare, legislation and football development.
It, however, warned that the reform process itself must respect legality, institutional continuity, democratic representation, transparency, accountability and football autonomy.
The proposal covers areas such as governance and institutional reform, league development, commercialisation, sports funding, infrastructure, elections, transition and implementation.
The Congress recommended using the existing NFF Statutes and recognised football institutions as the foundation for the reform process.
It also said a reform body should not independently change the NFF Statutes, alter Congress membership, appoint or remove officials, create a Normalisation Committee or take control of the electoral process.
According to the Congress, such decisions must remain with the institutions empowered to make them under the NFF’s constitutional framework.
Government urged to respect football autonomy
The Congress recognised the role of government in supporting football through funding, infrastructure and legislation.
However, it warned that government support should not become control of the NFF’s internal administration.
It called for transparent agreements, proper procurement processes, independent audits and regular reports on public funds and infrastructure projects.
The Congress also said legislative reforms should continue alongside the electoral process and should not be used as a condition for holding NFF elections.
Proposed governance changes
The Congress wants a full review of the NFF Statutes, Electoral Code and governance structure.
It supports wider representation for players, coaches, referees, leagues and clubs, women’s football, youth football and grassroots football.
However, it maintained that any changes to Congress membership or voting rights must be approved through the NFF’s constitutional process.
The proposal also recommends a three-term limit for the NFF President and Executive Committee members, based on tenure principles contained in FIFA and CAF statutes.
Elections within six months
The Congress called for credible, transparent and independent elections based on valid statutes.
It proposed verification of the voters’ register, transparent nominations, eligibility checks, secret voting and proper appeal procedures.
Its proposed process is:
- Convene an Extraordinary Congress to deal with the leadership vacancies.
- Review and amend the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code where necessary.
- Submit proposed reforms to FIFA and CAF for technical review.
- Formally adopt the reforms through Congress.
- Verify and regularise electoral constituencies and stakeholder structures.
- Hold an elective Congress to elect new NFF leaders.
The Congress also rejected the idea of completely starting the Local Football Councils and State Football Associations afresh, saying verification and regularisation would be a better approach.
Three-to-six-month caretaker plan
For the transition period, the Congress proposed a Caretaker Committee that would operate for between three and six months.
The committee would be responsible for stabilising the NFF and helping to complete the statutory process towards elections.
The proposed members are Christopher Green, Esq.; Hon. Abubakar Ladan; Mr L. A. Haruna, SAN; Engineer Waheed Akanni; Rukayat Segilola Alaya; Coach Oko Victor Ndubuisi; and Professor Tor Iorapuu.
The Congress stressed that the committee should operate under the NFF Statutes and must not become a replacement for elected leadership.
Normalisation Committee only as a last resort
The Congress took a cautious position on the possible appointment of a Normalisation Committee.
It said such a committee should be an exceptional measure and not the first step in dealing with the crisis.
According to the proposal, it should only be considered if FIFA formally determines that the NFF’s existing statutory institutions cannot resolve the situation through the Federation’s constitutional process.
League and player welfare reforms
The Congress also supports professionalising Nigeria’s leagues, stronger club licensing, better commercialisation, improved player welfare and increased investment in youth, women’s and grassroots football.
However, it called for independent financial assessments before major financial commitments are approved.
For example, the proposed ₦2 million monthly minimum salary for players should first be tested for commercial and financial feasibility.
The Congress also said proposed commitments such as ₦2.5 billion in prize money and ₦15 billion for media production should be backed by sustainable revenue, proper club licensing and transparent distribution.
It further suggested reviewing the proposed media allocation, with greater attention given to the Nigeria National League and Nigeria Women’s Football League.
Reform roadmap
The Congress proposed a reform programme lasting between six and 24 months.
The first month would focus on stabilising the Federation and convening the competent Congress.
Months one to two would cover legal, financial and governance reviews, as well as consultations with stakeholders.
Months two to four would focus on changes to the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.
Formal adoption of the reforms and preparations for elections would take place around months four and five, with elections and handover expected around the fifth or sixth month.
The remaining period, up to 24 months, would focus on implementing structural, commercial and player-welfare reforms, as well as developing women’s, youth and grassroots football and improving infrastructure.
Congress wants FIFA and CAF support, not replacement
The Congress proposed that FIFA and CAF should provide technical assistance, recognition and oversight without taking over the constitutional responsibilities of the NFF.
It said any Joint Reform Coordination Group should remain consultative and should not have the power to appoint or remove NFF officials, amend the Statutes, change Congress membership or control elections.
The proposal also noted that the NFF’s voting structure has expanded under recent statutory reforms, with the 2026 Statute increasing Congress membership from 44 to 53 voting members.
A proposed broader representation model would have 146 members holding 73 voting mandates, including representatives of State Football Associations, professional and lower-division clubs, women’s football, school sports, players, coaches, referees, beach soccer, grassroots football and supporters.
‘Yes’ to reform, ‘no’ to bypassing Congress
The NFF Congress said its position should not be seen as opposition to reform.
Instead, it wants the overhaul of Nigerian football to be carried out through a lawful, football-led and properly organised process.
Its preferred route is to activate the competent Congress, make any necessary changes to the Statutes and Electoral Code, verify electoral structures and then conduct credible elections.
The Congress believes FIFA and CAF should support the process through technical advice and oversight while respecting the constitutional authority and autonomy of the NFF.
In essence, the Congress is saying yes to comprehensive football reform, but no to bypassing the NFF’s constitutional institutions in the process.
