Nigeria football at a crossroads as Dikko's NSC looks the other way

Nigeria football at a crossroads as Dikko's NSC looks the other way

By Harrison Jalla

All indicators are pointing to a gloomy picture for the future of Nigerian football, mainly due to administrative ineptitude, while the gladiators remain engrossed and fixated on an election scheduled for September 27, 2026.

The election is already sub judice before the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/1120/2026 and the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1755/2026, with demands for reforms and the enforcement of pending court judgments.

Both the National Sports Commission (NSC), which is the supervisory body of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Sports and the Senate Committee on Sports, which have constitutional oversight functions over the activities of the Nigeria Football Federation, are watching from the sidelines as Nigerian football is being led to the slaughterhouse.

There are also two pending Presidential directives on comprehensive reforms. What more evidence does the NSC and the two chambers of the National Assembly need to perform their statutory functions, when our football is already heading towards the abyss?

The group that hijacked Nigerian football since 2008—the State Football Association chairmen—has shown clearly over the years that they lack the capacity to move Nigerian football forward, simply because they cannot give what they do not have.

Who would participate in an election that is predetermined? It is only the beneficiaries of such a skewed process.

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should understand that football is a huge industry that can be central to Nigeria’s economic growth if it is placed in the right hands.

The earlier the Federal Government and relevant agencies intervene in the administrative crisis and entrenched corruption within Nigerian football, the better. Otherwise, we may soon find ourselves in a situation where self-help could lead to a breakdown of law and order, as the relevant authorities continue to refuse to act.

It cannot be business as usual this time around.

.Jalla is Chairman Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reforms Initiative