Tinubu Orders Comprehensive Reform of Nigerian Football After Repeated Qualification Failures

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerian football, directing sports authorities to address the structural problems blamed for the country’s repeated failure to qualify for major international competitions.

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

According to the President, Nigerian football requires fundamental changes in governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development, domestic competitions and accountability.

Tinubu said the reform had become necessary following the continued struggles of Nigeria’s football teams despite the country’s abundance of football talent and the enormous public attention and resources devoted to the sport.

“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.

The President said the proposed reform must go beyond addressing individual failures and instead tackle the weaknesses embedded within the football system.

He said the process should strengthen governance structures, improve administration, create better development pathways for young players and ensure more effective domestic competitions.

Greater accountability and broader representation of stakeholders are also expected to form part of the reform agenda.

Tinubu argued that while other sports have recorded progress since the Federal Government’s reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has continued to fall short of expectations.

He said Nigeria’s football institutions must be capable of matching the country’s exceptional talent, passion and financial investment with consistent performances and sustainable development.

As part of the transition, Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to maintain essential football administration.

The President also ordered that a broad and consultative reform process be launched to determine the changes required to put Nigerian football on a stronger footing.

The process is expected to involve players, coaches, administrators and other key stakeholders within the football ecosystem.

Tinubu further directed that the necessary engagement be held with FIFA and CAF, while ensuring that Nigeria continues to meet its obligations under the international football framework.

The presidential intervention comes at a difficult period for Nigerian football, following a series of setbacks involving the country’s senior men’s and women’s national teams.

The Super Eagles missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons also suffered a major qualification setback for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The developments have intensified calls for accountability and fundamental changes within the administration of Nigerian football.

Tinubu appealed to football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the reform process, stressing the need for collective efforts to build a more successful and accountable football system.

The Federal Government’s latest move could therefore usher in one of the most significant attempts in recent years to restructure the administration and development of football in Nigeria.