NFF crisis: ISMDS seeks government-led stakeholders’ dialogue, institutional reforms

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

Institute of Sports Management and Development Studies (ISMDS) has called on the Federal Government to convene a broad-based stakeholders’ dialogue as part of urgent measures to resolve the lingering crisis in Nigerian football and reposition the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for effective administration and sustainable development.

The call was made by the Chief Executive Officer/Registrar of ISMDS, Rev. Stanley Ihedigbo, who said the current crisis presents Nigeria with an opportunity to undertake fundamental reforms that would strengthen football administration and restore confidence among stakeholders.

Ihedigbo said the crisis should not be treated merely as a leadership contest or an opportunity to replace individuals in the NFF, stressing that the country needs lasting institutional reforms capable of addressing the structural, administrative and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football.

According to him, the Federal Government should bring together the NFF, football clubs, state football associations, players, coaches, referees, former internationals, sports administrators, sponsors, sports management professionals, academics and other critical stakeholders for a comprehensive dialogue on the future of Nigerian football.

He said the proposed dialogue should produce a clear roadmap for reform, with measurable targets, implementation timelines and mechanisms for accountability.

“This is the time for Nigeria to look beyond individuals and focus on institutions. Changing leadership alone will not solve the problems confronting Nigerian football. We need reforms that will strengthen governance, accountability, technical development, grassroots football and the domestic leagues,” Ihedigbo said.

The ISMDS CEO/Registrar said the Federal Government should consider establishing an independent football reform committee comprising experienced football administrators, former players, coaches, sports-management experts, legal practitioners, sports economists, representatives of clubs and other relevant stakeholders.

He explained that such a committee could undertake a comprehensive assessment of the NFF governance structure, finances, electoral system, domestic competitions, technical development programmes, grassroots football, player welfare and relationships among football stakeholders.

Ihedigbo also called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of resources committed to Nigerian football.

He said public funds allocated to football development must be properly accounted for, while the autonomy of football administration required under international football regulations must also be respected.

The ISMDS executive said Nigeria must avoid a situation where public concerns about football administration result in endless leadership crises without addressing the institutional weaknesses responsible for them.

He advocated the development of a five- to ten-year National Football Development Plan covering grassroots development, youth competitions, coaching education, scouting, sports science, women’s football, infrastructure, player welfare and the professionalisation of domestic competitions.

According to him, the domestic leagues must become a major priority in the reform process.

“Nigeria cannot build a sustainable football system by concentrating only on the Super Eagles and other national teams. Our domestic leagues are the foundation. If the clubs, academies, coaches, referees and youth competitions are properly developed, the national teams will benefit naturally,” he said.

Ihedigbo further urged the government and football authorities to strengthen grassroots football development across the country.

He said Nigeria has an abundance of football talent but needs a structured system capable of identifying, developing and retaining young talents.

He also called for stronger investment in women’s football, describing the Super Falcons as one of Nigeria’s most important sporting brands.

According to him, women’s football should receive sustained institutional and commercial support, including improved competitions, infrastructure, player welfare and development pathways.

The ISMDS CEO/Registrar also advocated reforms to the NFF electoral system to promote transparency, credibility, competence and broad stakeholder participation.

He stressed that football administration requires professionals with proven managerial capacity, integrity, technical understanding, financial-management skills and the ability to develop commercially sustainable sporting institutions.

Ihedigbo said the government should also encourage the introduction of measurable performance indicators for football administrators.

He explained that administrators should be assessed periodically on areas such as financial accountability, domestic league development, grassroots programmes, national-team performance, infrastructure, player welfare and international competitiveness.

“Accountability should not begin only when there is a crisis. Football institutions must have systems for continuous monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Administrators should know what they are expected to achieve and should be assessed against clearly defined targets,” he said.

He further urged the government to protect the welfare of national-team players and officials, particularly with respect to approved allowances, bonuses and contractual obligations.

According to him, players representing Nigeria should be allowed to concentrate on their sporting responsibilities without being distracted by avoidable administrative disputes.

Ihedigbo also called for stronger partnerships between the government, the private sector and football institutions to unlock the commercial potential of Nigerian football.

He said sponsors and investors would be more willing to commit resources to the sport when football administration is transparent, professionally managed and capable of delivering measurable value.

The ISMDS boss stressed that Nigeria should also maintain constructive engagement with FIFA and CAF throughout the reform process.

He said reforms must be undertaken in a manner that protects the autonomy required by international football regulations while ensuring that football institutions remain accountable to stakeholders and Nigerians.

He warned against politicising the reform process, saying the restructuring of Nigerian football should be driven by competence, professionalism and the long-term interest of the sport.

“Nigeria has the talent, population, football culture and commercial market to become one of the leading football nations in the world. What we need is a properly structured system that can convert these advantages into sustainable success,” Ihedigbo said.

He commended the Federal Government for recognising the need for comprehensive reforms and urged all stakeholders to support a transparent and inclusive process.

He said the success of the reform should ultimately be measured not by who emerges as the next NFF leadership but by whether the country develops stronger institutions, better domestic competitions, improved player welfare, credible administration and a sustainable pathway for young football talents.

Ihedigbo, therefore, appealed to football stakeholders to place the collective interest of Nigerian football above personal, political or factional interests.

He maintained that the current NFF crisis could become a turning point for Nigerian football if it is used to establish institutions that will survive leadership change.

“The objective should not simply be to resolve today’s crisis. The objective should be to ensure that Nigeria does not return to the same crisis tomorrow. That can only happen through institutional reforms, professional management, transparency, accountability and a long-term development strategy,” the ISMDS Chief Executive Officer/Registrar concluded.