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  • NFF  suspends many referees to protect game integrity

    NFF  suspends many referees to protect game integrity

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through its Refereeing Development Committee, has announced the indefinite suspension of several referees and assistant referees across the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).

    The decision, communicated last weekend, was taken to curb excesses, address questionable officiating and preserve the integrity of the game.

    In the NPFL Matchday 9 fixture between Barau FC and Kano Pillars FC, referee Anthony Eze and his assistants Peter Ogwu and Aduba Ngbede were found culpable of multiple infractions, including the wrongful award of a penalty and the failure to sanction a clear penalty incident. The Committee ruled that their collective decisions negatively influenced the outcome of the match and brought the game into disrepute, leading to their indefinite suspension from all football activities.

    The Committee also sanctioned officials in several NNL fixtures. Assistant Referee Ekpouko Ubong was suspended for an incorrect offside decision in the Rovers FC versus Sporting Lagos match that denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Referee Nurah Abdullahi was similarly suspended for failing to protect a goalkeeper in the Mighty Jets versus City FC encounter, while Ahmed M. Usman was penalized for awarding an unjustified penalty in the Sporting Supreme versus Bichi FC match.

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    Further disciplinary action followed the NNL Matchday 5 clash between Kada Warriors and Mighty Jets, where referee Michael Adepoju was suspended for awarding a penalty after being deceived by an attacking player, contrary to the Laws of the Game. The Committee held that the decision had no legal basis and unfairly altered the course of the match.

    In contrast, the Committee exonerated officials in the Lobi Stars versus Basira FC match, affirming that the handball penalty awarded complied with the Laws of the Game, while video evidence was inconclusive on an alleged offside goal. Similarly, match officials in the NWFL fixtures involving Ekiti Queens versus Edo Queens were cleared, as camera angles did not provide sufficient evidence to establish any offside infringement.

    Overall, the NFF Refereeing Development Committee reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on poor officiating and stressed that sanctions would continue to be applied where decisions fall outside the Laws of the Game. The body maintained that consistent enforcement of standards remains critical to fair play, credibility and confidence in Nigerian football competitions.

  • NFF Management, Staff stage walk against corruption

    NFF Management, Staff stage walk against corruption

    On the occasion of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day, members of the Management and Staff of the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday staged an enlightenment walk round the premises of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    The special event had the NFF Desk Officer in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mallam Abdulrahman Maigari in attendance, and he joined NFF directors including Dr Ademola Olajire (Director of Media & Communications), Ms. Ruth David (Director of Competitions), Mr. Barnabas Joro (Deputy Director, Protocol), Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman (Deputy Director, Competitions) and Hajia Amina Daura (Head of Women’s Football) and other senior officers in the walk.

    Head of NFF’s ACTU (Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit), Barr. Queen Otarakpo, espoused the essence of celebrating the day, saying the International Anti-Corruption Day “reminds us that corruption is not just a legal violation; it is a barrier to development, a threat to institutional integrity, and an enemy of public trust.”

    She added: “Our organization stands at the frontline of this fight. As the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, we are committed to promoting a culture where integrity is non-negotiable, transparency is a standard, and accountability is a shared responsibility.

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     “Corruption survives where silence prevails. But today, we choose to raise our voices. We choose honesty over shortcuts, service over self-interest, and responsibility over negligence. When we uphold ethical standards in our daily duties, we strengthen our institution and contribute to a nation where fairness and justice can thrive.”

    Reiterating that the three mandates of ICPC are enlightenment, prevention and prosecution, Maigari advanced that enlightenment and prevention are more important to the commission, and praised the NFF for being very active in the anti-corruption crusade.

    NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON), commended the NFF ACTU for organizing the enlightenment walk, and for always involving the ICPC Desk Officer in all that they do.

     “There are some little things we do that we are not aware could be anti-corruption, but through enlightenment and crusades such as this, people and institutions are better-guided. The NFF ACTU executive team is very much alive to its responsibilities and we are proud of their proactivity, focus, diligence and sense of duty.”

  • W’Cup 2026: NFF begs Tinubu, Nigerians over  Super Eagles’ setback

    W’Cup 2026: NFF begs Tinubu, Nigerians over  Super Eagles’ setback

    • By Joshua Osinowo

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised  to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government and the Nigerian public following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    In a statement released  through its Communications Department, the federation described Sunday’s defeat to the Democratic Republic of  Congo in the Africa Play-Offs Final in Rabat as “a moment of profound sadness,” noting that the result fell far short of national expectations.

    The NFF acknowledged the emotional impact of missing out on a second consecutive World Cup, stressing that in a country where football functions as a unifying force and a national symbol, the setback carries “great weight and emotional depth.”

    According to the statement, the atmosphere in the dressing room after the match was sombre, with players visibly distressed as they absorbed the disappointment. The Federation added that the board, technical crew and playing personnel fully recognise the gravity of the situation and the expectations of millions of Nigerians.

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    The NFF also highlighted the extensive support received throughout the qualification campaign—from the Federal Government, National Sports Commission, National Assembly, key ministries and agencies, the diplomatic service, media stakeholders and fans across the world.

     “Football in Nigeria is more than a sport; it is a national language and a powerful symbol of identity and unity,” the Federation said, pledging to respond with sincerity, accountability and concrete action.

    With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco approaching, the NFF stated that the tournament presents an opportunity for renewal and for the team to demonstrate the resilience traditionally associated with Nigerian football.

    The Federation further announced that, in the coming days, its leadership will embark on a comprehensive review of the technical, administrative and structural lapses that contributed to the unsuccessful World Cup campaign. It assured Nigerians that decisive steps will be taken to reposition the national teams for future success.

     “We will rebuild trust. We will restore pride. We will reclaim our standing on the global stage,” the statement concluded, reaffirming Nigeria’s reputation as a nation defined by resilience and optimism.

  • Unnecessary alarm

    Unnecessary alarm

    • Can anyone sustain the allegation of $25m grant misuse against NFF?

    The House of Representatives recently resolved to set up an investigative committee to probe an alleged misuse of about $25m grants from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over a period.

    The adoption of the resolution followed a motion co-sponsored by Adedayo Adesola representing Apapa Federal Constituency of Lagos State and Nwaeke Uche representing Ebonyi State constituency. The period under reference is allegedly over a 10 – year period of 2015-2025. The lawmakers allege that the level of sports development is not commensurate with the funds made available over the period.

    They said that “In December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the handling of a $1.1m development grant to NFF and reported that US$802,000 lacked proper documentations, prompting the then sports minister, Solomon Dalong, to order an independent audit and ask NFF to account for receipts and disbursements”. This was not an isolated case because, “between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials and the then President, Amaju Pinnick, faced public criticism and were subject of EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies”.

    The most recent controversy is about the $1.2 million which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, Kebbi State. There are allegations that the structure on ground so far is not commensurate with the alleged money sunk into the project. The representatives are demanding accountability from NFF.

    Football has become a trillion-dollar global business, bringing to the world huge socio-economic gains. It is not called the ‘Beautiful game’ for nothing. Nations under FIFA rules have benefited from the organisational structure of FIFA and other continental affiliates. Football has become as lucrative as it is now a tool for national pride when well-run by federations.

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    It is on this premise that we feel very concerned about the headline of the current controversy. We are here talking about two unrelated stadium projects; one in Nigeria, the other in Kenya, with the former assisted by FIFA. The Kenyan project is being built by the Kenyan government for the 2027 AFCON, costing millions of dollars. The Nigerian Kebbi Township Stadium costs about one per cent of the Kenyan project.

    While we believe that every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech, Mr. Peter Obi seemingly inferred a shady deal about the Kebbi stadium, citing the Kenyan Stadium cost as though they are on the same scale in cost and circumstance. Even if there is financial impropriety in this particular instance, more information could bring better clarity.

    The NFF has often performed below average and can often appear financially opaque, but we must not always assume the worst based on a flawed narrative. The federation on its part must be accountable and use all grants from both FIFA and CAF for sports development in a country as blessed as Nigeria. Accountability is the soul of international businesses. Trust is built through such acts of transparency. The scandal around the 2022 Qatar World Cup has so far claimed many football administrators. This shows that FIFA is like Big brother that is always watching.

    On the part of the law makers, we commend their quest at this time but we also believe that they might have failed in their oversight functions on the sports ministry under which NFF operates. The National Assembly must be more proactive than reactive.

    Accountability is never based on arrears but is a consistent present action. Probes, especially in a developing country like Nigeria do not often yield the best results, oversight functions help to keep track and put the checks and balances of democracy active and effective.

    Football as a global sports is fast redefining the socio-economic stands of nations and Nigeria occupies a prime position in the world. As the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected. If Morocco and South African federations are seemingly taking their national football infrastructure to the global stage, thereby encouraging development of the game in their countries, Nigeria can do better.

    Nigeria is seen as the nation in Africa with the greatest influence on national leagues across continents, given her star exports. NFF must, like Caesar’s wife, be above reproach.

  • NFF D-License coaching course takes off in Abuja

    NFF D-License coaching course takes off in Abuja

    A total of 40 coaches are taking part in a six-day NFF D-License Coaching Course that began in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Tuesday.

    NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, explained that the D-License is a prerequisite for qualifying to take part in the C-License course, and it is in modules and for beginners, and must last a minimum of 60 hours.

    “Just as it is in life, everything in football is in stages. We have a lot of talented young ones out there, and it is not the way you coach adults that you coach the young ones. Coaching the young ones requires special training.

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    “This course is not going to be a one-off. After this national programme, we will have to take it to the Zones, and subsequently to the States. We have a total of 40 coaches undergoing this programme, and I can assure you they have a lot to learn.”

    After the record-setting CAF C-License programme exclusively for women coaches that took place over the months of July, August and September last year (three modules) and which involved 30 participants, the NFF organized a CAF B-License Course which saw a total of 30 participants, in April this year.

  • Aiyegbeni, Oshaniwa berate NFF for blaming  Ekong, Dessers for Super Eagles’ woes 

    Aiyegbeni, Oshaniwa berate NFF for blaming  Ekong, Dessers for Super Eagles’ woes 

    • By Victor Ogunade

    Former Super Eagles stars Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Juwon Oshaniwa have criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for singling out captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Cyriel Dessers following Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    Aiyegbeni, a former Everton and Middlesbrough striker, leapt to Ekong’s defense, stressing that mistakes are part of the game.

     “Everyone, they’re talking about the captain, Ekong. He scored an own goal. So what? He didn’t mean to score that own goal. It happens. Nigerians are too quick to put blame on one or two players. I’ve been in that pain before, missing goals and getting insulted,” Yakubu said.

    The ex-forward, who scored 96 goals in the English Premier League and is Nigeria’s fourth-highest all-time scorer, said the bigger problem lies in the team’s style of play.

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     “Ekong is a leader in that team. He made mistakes, yes, but South Africa passed the ball better than us. We can’t even string six or seven passes together. We just want Lookman or Osimhen to make magic instead of playing as a team,” he added.

    Similarly, former Super Eagles left-back  Oshaniwa, a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, faulted the NFF’s approach, insisting that Nigeria’s struggles stem from poor preparation and administration rather than individual errors.

     “We cannot keep holding those players responsible for every poor outcome. When you fail to prepare well, no rocket science will save you. Administrators are seriously affecting those boys. On paper, Nigeria should qualify with ease, but football is not played on paper,” Oshaniwa said.

  • Peterside  calls for credible administrators in NFF

    Peterside  calls for credible administrators in NFF

    • By Victor Oguntade

    Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and football pundit  Idah Peterside has criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), describing its leadership as plagued by long-standing “rottenness” and unqualified decision-makers.

    Speaking on the poor state of Nigerian football, Peterside said the game continues to suffer because competent individuals are sidelined in favour of less capable hands.

     “I don’t want to get into the Nigeria case. I’ve seen this rottenness for a very long time,” he said. “We’ve complained deeply. Sometimes it seems because we played football, we don’t qualify to run football. That’s a big shame. I went to school, I have enough education, and I played the game.”

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    He argued that running football should require proper managerial and business skills, not politics or favouritism. “You need to have the ability to manage things, business or whatever it is, to be able to run an organisation. But sometimes they don’t honour us, they don’t respect us. Once you played football, they look at you as if you’re not capable,” Peterside lamented.

    The 50-year-old, who retired from football in 2002 and later served as media officer for the Super Eagles, emphasized that Nigeria must embrace qualified administrators if its football is to recover. “More qualified people should be running our football in this country,” he added.

    Recall that

    Peterside contested unsuccessfully for the NFF presidency in 2022 and his comments come amid renewed criticism of the NFF following Super Eagles’  struggles in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with fans increasingly demanding accountability and reforms in the administration of the sport.

  • Veteran journalist decries NFF’s flawed electoral system   

    Veteran journalist decries NFF’s flawed electoral system   

    • By Victor Oguntade

    Veteran journalist and broadcaster, osasu obayiuwana, has alleged that the last Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election, which produced Ibrahim Musa Gusau as president, was marred by large-scale financial inducement of delegates.

    Speaking recently  on Eagle7FM, Obayiuwana described the Benin congress that ushered in Gusau as a “money bazaar,” where delegates were openly given thousands of dollars to vote for candidates.

    “These are open secrets and it is known within the community,” he said. “One candidate, after realising that delegates collected his money but didn’t vote for him, even went as far as surrounding their hotel with security operatives to ensure they didn’t escape with the cash so that he could get his money back.”

    Obayiuwana, who has worked for over three decades as a journalist and broadcaster with international organisations such as BBC, Reuters, The Guardian and Observer of London, Die Welt in Germany, Asahi Shimbun in Japan, and Voice of America, stressed that the flawed electoral system is at the heart of Nigeria’s football problems.

    He questioned why the decision of 36 state Football Association chairmen should determine the leadership of Nigerian football, arguing that it effectively places the fate of the sport in the hands of a small group of individuals.

    “The Nigerian football community is wider than those 36 people,” he noted. “Why should they have the right to hold our football to ransom in the manner they’re holding it?”

    Obayiuwana, who is also a qualified Barrister and Solicitor with 33 years of experience, has consistently reported on sporting, political, and socio-economic issues across the globe.

  • ‘I’m not interested in NFF chairmanship’

    ‘I’m not interested in NFF chairmanship’

    Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has urged the public to disregard media publications linking him with the chairmanship of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

    Dismissing the speculations in a statement, Fani-Kayode described the quotes attributed to him in this regard as “fake news”.

    The former Minister of Culture says he is not a footballer and as such would have nothing to do with football administration.

    He said: “It has been brought to my attention that fake quotes are being attributed to me by various unknown blogs claiming that I have an interest in being Chairman of the NFF and that I have now decided to step down from the race to support someone else.

    “This is all fake news. I know nothing about the NFF, I have no interest in the NFF or who leads it.”

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    “I have no interest in football and, thankfully, I have not been approached or nominated for such a position by anyone. And if I had, I would have respectfully declined.

    “I am not a footballer and I could not care less who the NFA Chairman is or will be.

     “The whole thing is deeply insulting, and I urge the 419 and criminal blogs that are attributing these quotes to me and coming up with such fake stories to desist from doing so and leave me out of their mess.”

     “I also urge members of the public to ignore their rubbish.”

  • Disregard publications linking me with NFF chairmanship —Fani-Kayode 

    Disregard publications linking me with NFF chairmanship —Fani-Kayode 

    Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has urged the public to disregard media publications linking him with the chairmanship of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

    Dismissing the speculations in a statement, Fani-Kayode described the quotes attributed to him in this regard as “fake news”.

    The former Minister of Culture said he is not a footballer and as such would have nothing to do with football administration.

    He said: “It has been brought to my attention that fake quotes are being attributed to me by various unknown blogs claiming that I have an interest in being Chairman of the NFF and that I have now decided to step down from the race to support someone else. 

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    “This is all fake news. I know nothing about the NFF, I have no interest in the NFF or who leads it.

    “I have no interest in football and, thankfully, I have not been approached or nominated for such a position by anyone. And if I had, I would have respectfully declined. 

    “I am not a footballer and I could not care less who the NFA Chairman is or will be. 

    “The whole thing is deeply insulting, and I urge the 419 and criminal blogs that are attributing these quotes to me and coming up with such fake stories to desist from doing so and leave me out of their mess. 

    “I also urge members of the public to ignore their rubbish.

    “It is good old fashioned fake news, and as it is with all fake news, they have a hidden agenda. 

    “Any quote or story that does not emanate from my website (femifanikayode.org), my verified X handle (@realffk) or my verified Facebook and Instagram pages is not from me. 

    “Anything outside of these platforms is FAKE and I urge members of the public to read such reports with caution.”