The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress has endorsed comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football but insisted that the process must comply with Nigerian law, the NFF Statutes and applicable FIFA and CAF regulations.
In a reform proposal dated September 2026, Congress said the resignation of the NFF Executive Committee and General Secretary had created a serious leadership vacuum. It, however, stressed that the development did not dissolve the NFF or strip Congress of its constitutional powers.
According to Congress, the existing NFF Statutes provide a mechanism for addressing leadership vacancies through an Extraordinary Congress. It therefore proposed activating the appropriate Congress as the first step, followed by a review of the Statutes and Electoral Code, verification of electoral constituencies and stakeholder structures, and ultimately the conduct of fresh elections.
Broad reforms proposed
The Congress said it supports far-reaching reforms covering governance, league administration, commercialisation, funding, infrastructure, player welfare, legislation and football development.
It maintained, however, that the reform process must uphold legality, institutional continuity, democratic representation, transparency, accountability and the autonomy of football.
Congress recommended that the existing NFF Statutes and recognised football institutions should serve as the foundation for the process. It also warned that any reform body should not independently amend the Statutes, alter Congress membership, appoint or remove officials, establish a Normalisation Committee or take control of elections.
Such powers, it said, must remain with the institutions authorised to exercise them under the NFF’s constitutional framework.
Government urged to respect football autonomy
While recognising government’s role in providing funding, infrastructure and legislation, Congress cautioned against government interference in the internal administration of the NFF.
It called for transparent agreements, proper procurement procedures, independent audits and regular reporting on public funds and infrastructure projects.
Congress also said legislative reforms should proceed alongside the electoral process and should not be made a condition for conducting NFF elections.
Three-term limit proposed
The Congress called for a comprehensive review of the NFF Statutes, Electoral Code and governance structure, with broader representation for players, coaches, referees, leagues and clubs, as well as women’s, youth and grassroots football.
However, it stressed that any changes to Congress membership or voting rights must be approved through the federation’s constitutional process.
It also proposed a three-term limit for the NFF President and Executive Committee members, citing tenure principles contained in FIFA and CAF statutes.
Elections targeted within six months
Congress called for credible, transparent and independent elections conducted under valid statutes. The proposed process includes verification of the voters’ register, transparent nominations, eligibility checks, secret ballots and appropriate appeal mechanisms.
The roadmap would involve:
- Convening an Extraordinary Congress to address the leadership vacuum.
- Reviewing and, where necessary, amending the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code.
- Submitting proposed reforms to FIFA and CAF for technical review.
- Formally adopting the reforms through Congress.
- Verifying and regularising electoral constituencies and stakeholder structures.
- Holding an elective Congress to choose new NFF leaders.
The Congress also rejected the idea of completely restarting the Local Football Councils and State Football Associations, arguing instead for verification and regularisation.
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Caretaker committee proposed
For the transition period, Congress proposed a three-to-six-month Caretaker Committee to stabilise the federation and guide the statutory process towards elections.
The proposed committee 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.
Congress stressed that the committee must operate within the NFF Statutes and should not become a substitute for elected leadership.
Normalisation Committee only as a last resort
Congress also took a cautious position on a possible FIFA-backed Normalisation Committee, describing it as an exceptional measure rather than an immediate solution.
It said such a committee should only be considered if FIFA formally determines that the NFF’s existing statutory institutions are incapable of resolving the crisis through the federation’s constitutional process.
League, player welfare reforms
The proposed reforms also seek to professionalise Nigeria’s leagues, strengthen club licensing, improve commercialisation and player welfare, and increase investment in women’s, youth and grassroots football.
However, Congress called for independent financial assessments before major financial commitments are approved.
It said proposals such as a ₦2 million monthly minimum salary for players, ₦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 also recommended reviewing the proposed media allocation to give greater attention to the Nigeria National League and Nigeria Women’s Football League.
Six-to-24-month reform roadmap
Congress proposed a reform programme spanning between six and 24 months.
The first month would focus on stabilising the federation and convening the competent Congress, while months one and two would cover legal, financial and governance reviews alongside stakeholder consultations.
Statutory and electoral reforms would take place between months two and four, followed by formal adoption and election preparations around months four and five. Elections and handover are expected around the fifth or sixth month.
The remaining period, extending to 24 months, would focus on implementing structural, commercial and player-welfare reforms, developing women’s, youth and grassroots football, and improving infrastructure.
FIFA and CAF asked to support, not replace
The Congress wants FIFA and CAF to provide technical assistance, recognition and oversight without taking over the constitutional responsibilities of the NFF.
It proposed that any Joint Reform Coordination Group should remain consultative and should not have powers to appoint or remove officials, amend the Statutes, alter Congress membership or control elections.
Congress 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 broader representation model proposed in the reform document would comprise 146 members holding 73 voting mandates, covering 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 stressed that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to reform. Rather, it wants the overhaul of Nigerian football to be carried out through a lawful, football-led and constitutionally recognised process.
Its preferred approach is to activate the competent Congress, make necessary amendments to the Statutes and Electoral Code, verify electoral structures and conduct credible elections.
Congress believes FIFA and CAF should provide technical support and oversight while respecting the constitutional authority and autonomy of the NFF.
In essence, the message from Congress is clear: yes to comprehensive reform, but no to bypassing the NFF’s constitutional institutions in the process.
