Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reforms Initiative, Prince Harrison Jalla, has called for a complete restructuring of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), insisting that all major stakeholders must have fair representation in the administration of the game.
Jalla said players, coaches, clubs, state football associations, the private sector and other key stakeholders must be properly represented in the new structure, with equal voting rights and opportunities to elect their representatives.
He argued that Nigerian football cannot achieve meaningful reform if one constituency continues to dominate the NFF Congress and influence who controls the federation.
According to Jalla, the current system has created an imbalance in the administration of Nigerian football, making it difficult for other important stakeholders to have a meaningful voice in decision-making.
“Players, coaches, clubs, state FAs, the private sector and other key stakeholders must be properly represented,” Jalla said.
He stressed that representation should go beyond simply having individuals present at Congress meetings, insisting that stakeholders must also have genuine voting power and the ability to elect representatives who understand their interests.
Jalla believes such changes would help break the cycle in which the same interests repeatedly determine the leadership and direction of Nigerian football.
His call comes as Nigeria begins a new reform process following the resignation of Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF Executive Committee, with FIFA now engaged with Nigerian authorities on a comprehensive roadmap for reform.
The reform discussions are expected to address the governance and institutional structure of Nigerian football, providing an opportunity to review how the NFF is constituted and how decisions are made.
For Jalla, the current moment presents an opportunity to build a more inclusive football administration rather than simply replacing outgoing officials.
He maintained that genuine representation and equal voting opportunities would give Nigerian football a stronger foundation and ensure that those directly involved in developing the game have a meaningful say in its future.
With FIFA backing continued discussions on a comprehensive reform roadmap, Jalla is urging stakeholders to seize the opportunity to create an NFF structure that is more democratic, inclusive and accountable.
