HURIWA Demands NFF Leadership Resignation, Calls for Football Professionals to Take Over

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the immediate resignation of the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), demanding a fundamental overhaul of the administration of the country’s football.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group said Nigerian football could no longer afford what it described as the continued dominance of politicians and individuals without sufficient professional football experience in the administration of the game.

HURIWA argued that the country’s football challenges require experienced professionals, former international players and competent administrators to take charge of the sport.

The organisation specifically mentioned former Super Eagles captain Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, former Chelsea technical adviser Michael Emenalo, former Green Eagles captain Segun Odegbami and former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa among personalities it believes could contribute to a new leadership structure.

The call comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s recent setbacks in international football.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons have now been eliminated from contention for the 2027 Women’s World Cup after losing to South Africa in a qualification play-off following their quarter-final exit from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nigeria will consequently miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the competition began in 1991.

The NFF has responded to the women’s team’s setback by establishing a fact-finding committee to examine the poor run of the country’s national teams, including the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 World Cup.

HURIWA, however, said the response must go beyond setting up another committee, arguing that previous reform efforts had produced recommendations that were either ignored or inadequately implemented.

The group urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to declare a state of emergency in Nigerian football and work with FIFA to establish a credible framework for reforming football administration.

According to HURIWA, such a framework should ensure that people with proven competence, experience and integrity occupy key positions in the administration of the sport.

The association also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support comprehensive reforms within the NFF and encourage greater participation by former players, coaches and experienced football administrators.

It said the government and football authorities must also strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of football resources while investing more heavily in grassroots development and the national teams.

HURIWA cited Okocha’s recent calls for fresh thinking and a new structure in Nigerian football as an indication of the growing demand for reform from former players and other stakeholders.

The association maintained that politicians should not determine the technical direction of Nigerian football when the country has produced generations of internationally recognised players and football administrators.

“This is not a witch-hunt. It is a demand for accountability and a desperate call to save Nigerian football from extinction,” the group said.

HURIWA further urged former internationals, coaches, players, administrators, supporters and football enthusiasts across the country to join its campaign for what it described as fundamental reform of Nigerian football.

The call comes as the NFF faces renewed scrutiny following a difficult period for Nigeria’s national teams. The federation has acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the Super Falcons’ World Cup setback and apologised to Nigerians over the failure.