The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation convened at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Asaba on Saturday, 11th July 2026, where it deliberated on key issues affecting Nigerian football and reached several landmark resolutions aimed at advancing the sport across all levels.
The meeting, chaired by NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, brought together top football administrators who examined various facets of the game, from international engagements to domestic league development and grassroots football.
The Committee extended profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his role in securing Nigeria’s hosting rights for this year’s CAF Ordinary General Congress and the CAF Awards Ceremony.
You May Also Like
This achievement followed a meeting between the President and CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe at the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, in May.
The Committee equally commended Dr Motsepe and the CAF leadership for entrusting Nigeria with the hosting of these prestigious continental events, which are expected to attract football dignitaries from across the continent and further cement Nigeria’s standing in African football administration.
In a significant development for Nigerian club football, the Executive Committee expressed deep gratitude to the Federal Government through the National Sports Commission for the special intervention fund being committed to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
The funding aims to elevate the league’s profile, enhance its commercial viability, and stimulate a robust football economy that would benefit players, clubs, and stakeholders alike.
The Committee noted with optimism the government’s commitment to extending similar support to the Nigeria Women Football League.
However, members passionately appealed for the intervention to be broadened to include the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Nation-Wide League One as well, recognising that sustainable football development requires attention to all tiers of the domestic game.
The Executive Committee welcomed the National Sports Commission’s pronouncement regarding full support for the strict enforcement of Club Licensing regulations.
The Committee resolved to resist attempts by clubs to circumvent the regulations, signalling a firm stance on maintaining standards across Nigerian football, particularly regarding infrastructure, financial management, and player welfare.
This development is expected to bring Nigerian club football in line with continental best practices and improve the country’s standing in CAF club competitions.
Special appreciation was extended to Delta State Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Dr) Sheriff Oborevwori, and his administration for hosting this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale.
The Committee acknowledged the warmth and hospitality of the people of Delta State, known as ‘The Big Heart,’ toward football stakeholders and visitors during the event held on Saturday.
The successful hosting of the prestigious cup final has once again demonstrated Delta State’s commitment to sports development and its capacity to stage major football events.
As the Super Falcons prepare for the 14th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from 26th July to 16th August 2026, the Committee commended the establishment of a Welfare Committee for the team through collaboration between the National Sports Commission and the NFF.
The players were charged with a dual mission: securing a ticket to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and retaining the continental trophy for a record-extending 11th triumph.
The Committee expressed confidence in the team’s ability to achieve these objectives, noting that the Super Falcons remain Africa’s most successful women’s national team and have consistently demonstrated their quality on the continent.
The U20 women’s team, Falconets, received a strong challenge from the Executive Committee to set their sights on becoming the first Nigerian team to win the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup during the tournament in Poland in September.
The Committee directed the Secretariat to ensure adequate preparations for the girls ahead of the competition, reminding the team that Nigeria has won silver medals on two occasions from the competition, in 2010 and 2014.
The Falconets have consistently been among the world’s best at this level, and the Committee believes this could be the moment for Nigeria to finally claim the ultimate prize.
Congratulations were extended to the U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, for qualifying for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals following a 5-3 victory over their Beninese counterparts in Lome, Togo, on Saturday.
The aggregate 8-5 win secures Nigeria’s participation in the tournament to be hosted by Morocco later this year.
The Flamingos have now qualified for their third consecutive FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a testament to the strength of Nigeria’s youth development programmes and the depth of talent in women’s football across the country.
The Executive Committee expressed delight at Nigeria’s restoration to the CAF A-License Convention by the Confederation of African Football.
Nigerian coaches were encouraged to take advantage of various NFF-organized programs to update, upgrade, and renew their knowledge, with expectations that their improved expertise would positively impact domestic leagues and competitions.
The restoration means Nigerian coaches can now access the highest level of coaching education offered by CAF, which is essential for improving the technical standards of the game in the country.
A significant structural development emerged as the Committee constituted an interim Board for Beach Soccer and Futsal leagues.
The Board comprises Mr Mahmud Hadejia as Chairman, with Mr Dele Gbajumo, Hon. Nkopuye Ukpe, Mr Abdul-Nasir Adamu Senchi, Prof. Victor Madubuiko, Alh. Mohammed Bukar Alau, Miss Onome Ebi as members, and Mr Saraki Rasheed Oladimeji as CEO. The Chief Operating Officer will be appointed by the General Secretary.
This move signals the NFF’s commitment to developing these variants of the game, which have gained increasing popularity globally and offer additional pathways for Nigerian footballers to excel.
The meeting was attended by NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members, including Yusuf Ahmed, Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Aisha Falode, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Nse Essien, Margaret Icheen, Timothy Heman Magaji, and His Excellency Silas Agara, with Mohammed Sanusi serving as Secretary.
The resolutions from this comprehensive meeting signal the NFF’s commitment to developing Nigerian football across all tiers, from grassroots to the senior national teams, while strengthening institutional frameworks and international partnerships.
As Nigeria prepares for a busy period of continental and global competitions, the decisions taken at this Asaba meeting are expected to provide the necessary direction and support for the country’s football ambitions.
Michael Arinze Okosi is an experienced sports journalist who has worked at several media organizations and covered a couple of qualifying games and tournaments involving Nigerian national teams.
Ehi Ekhator is a dedicated freelance journalist who specializes in writing about crime and politics, with a particular focus on the African continent, notably Nigeria.
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering stories that matter, Ehi’s work delves deep into the intricacies of complex issues, providing insightful perspectives and in-depth analysis.
Ehi’s commitment to journalism is unwavering, and their ability to shed light on pressing matters within the realm of politics and crime is commendable. If you’re looking to connect or collaborate with Ehi Ekhator, you can reach out via email at ehi@tstga.com
His work serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the political and criminal landscape in Africa, making Ehi a respected voice in the field of journalism.
More Stories
14th Women AFCON: Nigeria hammer Egypt 6-2 to reach quarter-finals, to face Cameroon
WAFU B U20 Tourney: Flying Eagles batter Sparrow Hawks 3-0 to seal final-four spot
14th Women AFCON: Egypt on the firing line as Super Falcons seek quarter-final ticket
NFF Elective Congress to hold September 27
WAFU B U20 Tourney: Flying Eagles knock Ghana’s Black Satellites 4-2 to lead Group B
