President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following the country’s repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and global tournaments.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on August 27, 2026, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to Onanuga, the reform is aimed at addressing longstanding weaknesses in the governance and administration of Nigerian football, while improving stakeholder representation, player development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across the sport.

“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” Onanuga quoted the President as saying.

Tinubu noted that while other sports have recorded meaningful progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has continued to struggle because of structural weaknesses within the system.

“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” the President said.

He stressed that Nigeria must match its exceptional football talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions, effective administration and sustained performance.

As part of the reform process, Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration while facilitating a broad and consultative reform process.

The President also directed that the process include appropriate engagement with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), while ensuring that Nigeria continues to meet its obligations under the international football framework.

Tinubu called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work collectively towards building a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.