Nigerian Football
NFF CONGRESS MOVES TO CHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE CALENDAR
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
An adjustment is in the offing in the administrative calendar of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
This follows an adoption of a motion of the NFF Congress that sat in Jos on Thursday to the effect that future elective Congresses of the federation be moved away from the FIFA World Cup year.
That was one of the high points of the communiqué issued at the end of the congress that held in a city where numerous football-related litigations had taken place in the past three years.
According to the communiqué, the 2017 congress is the opinion that stability in the system would be guaranteed in the preparation of the Super Eagles for credible participation at the finals, “and avoid the distractions and crises usually associated with the World Cup year”.
What this means is that the regime that emerges in the next NFF election which is fixed for September 30, 2018 may either have a three-year tenure or five-year tenure for the new motion to be effected.
On September 30, it will be exactly four years that the current board was elected in Warri.
Sports Village Square notes that the cycle of elective congress falling into World Cup year began in 2006 after the previous year’s election was hotly disputed leading to FIFA’s intervention and subsequently asking for fresh election in 2006, the year of the Germany 2006 World Cup.
Failure of Nigeria to qualify and the widely credited statement of “the World Cup is not Nigeria’s birthright” aggrieved many citizens and football stakeholders to the point that the Ministry of Sports had to invalidate his re-election in an election held in his native Kano on November 29, 2005.
Had the election stood, he would have been the first to hold a back-to-back tenure in football administration since 1980 when Sunday Dankaro had the longest tenure that began in 1974.
Sports Village Square recalls that the World Cup has spelt doom for the two regimes that succeeded Ibrahim Galadima.
Sani Ahmed Lulu was impeached by the board following inside intrigues, dispute with the Federal Government constituted President Task Force and the poor outing of Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup.
Upon return from the South Africa 2010 World Cup, he was impeached and Aminu Maigari stepped in on an acting capacity before winning election few weeks later. He was to suffer the same fate after the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
For the election expected to hold next year, in Katsina, the NFF composed a new electoral board comprising: Mohammed Sani Katu, Sani Salawu, S.C.A. Umeha, Olusola Oke and Mohammed Manzo, The NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi will be the secretary of the electoral committee. On standby in the committee are Isong Isang and Mohammed Aliyu Sambo.
In a similar vein, an Electoral Appeal Committee was constituted comprising A. U. Mustapha, Mojeed Adegbindin and Gbwen Alex Gbejule. The secretary will be provided by the NFF Secretariat. On standby are Sir Emma Ochiagha and Mohammed Zanna Mala.
The communiqué by the NFF General Assembly added that the election would hold subject to any amendments to the Statutes in view of the coming NFF Bill.
Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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