P resident Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, citing the need to fix structural problems that have led to repeated failures to qualify for major tournaments. The directive was announced on Thursday in a statement shared on X by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to the President, the reform should strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football. “Football is Nigeria’s most popular sport. It receives the most public support, investment and national attention,” Tinubu said. “Yet it continues to struggle largely because of structural deficits within the system.” He noted that while other sports have recorded progress since the National Sports Commission was re-established, football has not made the same gains. The President said it is important for Nigerian football to match the country’s talent, pas...

T he leadership of Nigerian football has changed after NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau and members of the Executive Committee reportedly resigned on Wednesday. The federation is yet to issue an official confirmation, but the move comes after months of pressure over poor results and poor management, according to a report by Independent Newspaper Nigeria. The immediate trigger was the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It is the first time Nigeria will miss the tournament since it started in 1991. Under Gusau, other national teams and clubs also struggled to qualify for major competitions. Players and officials also complained of unpaid allowances and delayed payments. Gusau had said he wanted to seek re-election, but calls for him and the board to step down grew louder. Stakeholders asked for a full review of the federation. There were also concerns about possible FIFA sanctions if government was seen interfering. But some analysts said reforms co...

R elief may be on the way for thousands of drivers stuck for months on the Benin-Asaba highway. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Wednesday ordered the company handling the road to leave the site immediately. He said the firm has failed to fix the road and should write the Federal Government to end its contract, as reported by Champion Newspaper . Speaking at a meeting in Edo Government House, Benin, Umahi said the concessionaire, Benin Asaba Expressway Concession Company, has not added any value to the project. “You should be removed from this site. You don’t have the capacity to fix this road,” the minister said. He also asked the company to clear all blockages causing traffic jams right away. Umahi directed the Ministry of Works to get the Independent Engineer to measure the work done so far. He warned that any bad work, including asphalt removed against the contract, will not be paid for. The cost of repairs will also be added. To ease the pain on road users, he said the bad p...