Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reforms Initiative and PFAN Task Force, Prince Harrison Jalla, has backed the reported intervention of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in the Nigeria Football Federation’s electoral process, insisting that Nigerian football requires fundamental governance reforms.
Jalla argued that the current structure has failed to deliver meaningful development over the past decade and should be replaced with a more balanced system that gives all recognised federating interests a stronger voice.
His position comes amid growing controversy surrounding the NFF’s 2026 electoral process. Jalla has previously criticised what he describes as an imbalanced governance structure and called for an emergency congress made up of equal representation from the country’s five NFF federating units.
According to Jalla, the five federating units should have equal representation on the NFF Board and equal voting rights at Congress, rather than allowing one constituency to exercise disproportionate influence over the federation.
He believes such reforms would create a more representative structure and reduce the concentration of power that he argues has characterised Nigerian football administration.
Backing a Normalisation Committee
Jalla has also expressed support for the possibility of establishing a normalisation committee, should the NSC proceed with an intervention in the NFF electoral process.
For him, such a committee would not simply serve as a temporary replacement for the existing administration but could provide an opportunity to review the federation’s statutes, electoral structure and governance framework.
His concerns are not new. In January, Jalla called for an emergency congress comprising equal representation from all five federating units to overhaul the NFF statutes and ensure parity across the Board, Congress and standing committees.
The issue has become increasingly contentious ahead of the NFF elections, with Jalla and other stakeholders questioning the legitimacy and fairness of the existing electoral arrangements. Recent reports have also highlighted petitions and legal disputes surrounding the federation’s governance and electoral process.
A Wider Governance Crisis
Jalla’s intervention comes against the backdrop of a difficult period for Nigerian football.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons missed the 2027 Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history. These setbacks have intensified calls for changes not only to the national teams but also to the structures responsible for administering Nigerian football.
Jalla believes the answer lies in addressing the governance system itself rather than simply replacing individual office holders.
He argues that a restructured NFF should give all relevant stakeholders a meaningful role and establish an electoral process capable of producing credible leadership.
The debate also comes with potential FIFA implications, as any government intervention in the affairs of a national football federation must take into account FIFA’s requirement for member associations to operate independently. Recent reports have highlighted concerns that the dispute could escalate if stakeholders fail to reach an agreement.
For Jalla, however, the current situation presents an opportunity to address problems that have persisted for years.
He believes a properly constituted normalisation process could provide the foundation for a more representative NFF, a reformed electoral system and a new governance structure for Nigerian football.
