NFF: Dikko demands sweeping changes

Mallam Shehu Dikko, chairman of the National Sports Commission, presented his keynote address to delegates at the 2026 NFF Extraordinary General Assembly in Yenegoa on Monday, March 23, where he shared his candid thoughts on the state of football administration in Nigeria and outlined a pathway to the future.

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Dikko called for far-reaching reforms to ensure accountability, progress, inclusivity, and alignment with both international standards and national realities in football administration.

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The NSC boss commended the Nigeria Football Federation for convening the Extraordinary General Assembly, noting that the gathering was timely, necessary, and must be consequential.

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According to Dikko, Nigeria is witnessing a new direction in sports governance, driven by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's precise vision and commitment to reposition sports as a strategic national asset.

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The restructuring and resetting of sports governance, including the scrapping of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and the re-establishment of the National Sports Commission, have been key steps in this new direction.

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A significant shift in sports funding architecture has also been implemented, with sports now treated as a first-line item, ensuring predictable and certain releases once the Appropriation Act is signed by the President.

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The approval to set up a sports infrastructure development bond aims to harness funding for the revamping, redevelopment, and development of sports infrastructure across the country to align with international benchmarks.

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The sports sector will now operate its funds management through commercial realities and banking, marking a significant change in its financial management.

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The government has also demonstrated a renewed commitment to rewarding excellence, as seen in the recent Presidential awards to the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, which included national honors, land allocations, housing allocations, and financial rewards.

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The NSC's Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria's Sports Economy framework is designed to transform sports from a consumption-driven sector into a productive industry, driving economic growth, job creation, private investment, and national values.

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The impact of this repositioning is already evident, with the sports sector contributing over 1% to Nigeria's GDP in the third and fourth quarters of 2025 and creating over 220,601 jobs during the same period.

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Nigeria won over 375 medals across all sports in 2025, a significant milestone indicating that sports is now an emerging economic pillar in the country.

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The question before the delegates is whether sports institutions and federations will align with this new direction or remain anchored in outdated systems.

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Dikko emphasized that the 2010 NFF Statutes has become obsolete, no longer reflecting modern governance standards, guaranteeing inclusivity, or aligning with current sports governance direction in Nigeria or global best practices.

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The Assembly carries a significant responsibility to initiate and drive a process of reform that is deliberate, inclusive, and aligned with international standards and national realities.

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The reform process must ensure that all critical stakeholders, including players, clubs, leagues, referees, coaches, and administrators, are meaningfully represented and that transparency, accountability, and integrity are upheld.

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The reform must also be economically conscious and forward-looking, creating a structure that encourages private sector participation, unlocks investment opportunities, and supports the monetization of football assets and commercial rights.

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Dikko stated that the system must correct itself, and if it does not, the correction will be done, emphasizing the need for action in reflection of the new governance environment.

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The National Sports Commission remains committed to working with the Nigeria Football Federation and stakeholders to provide institutional support, policy guidance, and regulatory framework for the required reforms.

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The level of support sports has received under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration is unprecedented, and stakeholders must respond with equal responsibility by aligning their structures and governance frameworks with the renewed national vision.

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Football, as the most influential sport in Nigeria, must lead this process, demonstrating that reform is possible and governance can be modernized in line with national expectations.

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The NFF has received unprecedented support from the government, with financial support and investment exceeding 200% of what the preceding government provided in its entire 8 years.

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Dikko concluded that history will not judge the delegates by their speeches, but by the decisions they take, and they have an opportunity to initiate a reform process that will define the future of Nigerian football for generations to come.

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The time to act is now, and the responsibility is on the delegates, with the nation, government, and global sports community watching.