NSC, NFF undertake bold reforms to reposition Nigerian football, as Chelle gets new contract, expanded role

NSC, NFF undertake bold reforms to reposition Nigerian football, as Chelle gets new contract, expanded role

...Commission sues for proper club licensing, NPFL champions to get N1bn

A high-level strategic meeting between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja has produced a series of far-reaching decisions aimed at strengthening Nigeria's national teams and transforming the domestic football landscape.

The meeting, held at the Commission’s headquarters, was attended by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Sékou Chelle.

Discussions focused on charting a sustainable path for Nigerian football, with key resolutions reached on both the national teams and the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the decision to extend the contract of Super Eagles Head Coach Eric Chelle, alongside an improved remuneration package.

The NSC also reaffirmed its commitment to covering the salaries of Chelle's assistant coaches, relieving the head coach of a financial responsibility he had previously borne from his earnings.

The move is expected to provide greater stability for the technical crew as the Super Eagles prepare for upcoming international assignments and qualification campaigns.

In another significant development, Chelle has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of leading Nigeria's U23 national team, the Olympic Eagles. The appointment is part of a broader strategy to align the playing philosophy of the senior national team with that of the Olympic side while creating a seamless pathway for emerging talents. Officials at the meeting noted the Olympic Eagles’ rich legacy as the first African football team to win a complete set of Olympic medals, claiming gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008, and bronze at Rio 2016. The expectation is that Chelle's oversight will help restore the team to continental and global relevance.

Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Bukola Olopade praised the leadership of NSC Chaired by Shehu Dikko, describing the ongoing reforms as a turning point for Nigerian sports.

"The leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko is a blessing to this country in sports. Whether people like it or not, we have changed the way sports is administered in Nigeria. This transformation is possible because of the Chairman's humane and humble leadership style. For me, this is a rebirth of Nigerian football from the grassroots to the elite level. What we are witnessing is revolutionary," Olopade said.

Attention also turned to the domestic league, where the NSC unveiled what is being described as the most ambitious financial incentive package in NPFL history.

Beginning from the next season, the league champions will receive a record ₦1 billion prize money. The runners-up will earn ₦800 million, while the third-placed team will receive ₦700 million. Teams finishing further down the table will also receive financial rewards based on their final positions, ensuring that every club benefits from the enhanced revenue structure.

Officials believe the unprecedented prize fund will significantly boost competitiveness, attract private investment, retain budding talents, improve club administration, and elevate the overall standard of the league.

Chairman Shehu Dikko also announced stricter enforcement of club licensing regulations, with player welfare placed at the heart of the reforms. As part of the new measures, a minimum monthly salary of ₦2 million for NPFL players has been approved. The policy is intended to improve players' welfare, reduce the migration of talented footballers abroad in search of better opportunities, and make the league more attractive to quality players.

"Players must earn a living wage. This is how we build a league that commands respect at home and abroad," Dikko stated.

The NSC further revealed that plans are at an advanced stage to return the NPFL to mainstream television, a move expected to increase the league's visibility, strengthen fan engagement, and unlock new commercial opportunities for clubs, sponsors, and stakeholders.

"Our players must be seen. Our league must be known. Television coverage is non-negotiable," Dikko added.

The resolutions reached at the meeting signal a new era of collaboration between the NSC and the NFF, anchored on national team stability, youth development, improved player welfare, commercial growth, and the long-term sustainability of Nigerian football.

Stakeholders believe the reforms could mark the beginning of a transformative chapter for the sport in the country.