Benue State Football Association chairman Barrister Paul Edeh has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission are in agreement on the need for comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football, but warned against interpreting reform as an automatic removal of the entire football leadership.
READ ALSO: “Things Will Become Clearer” — Hassan Wada Speaks on Normalisation Committee After FIFA-NFF Meeting
Edeh spoke following the first day of the FIFA/NFF stakeholders meeting, where discussions centred on the governance challenges confronting Nigerian football and possible measures required to reposition the game.
Having participated in Monday’s meeting, Edeh said there was a clear understanding among the major parties that changes are required.
According to him, the NFF has not been opposed to reform and is prepared to participate in a process aimed at improving the administration and development of football in the country.
However, Edeh cautioned against calls suggesting that comprehensive reform must necessarily result in the removal of everyone currently occupying leadership positions.
He maintained that genuine reform should focus on identifying weaknesses within the system and finding sustainable solutions rather than being reduced solely to a campaign for leadership change.
The Benue FA chairman’s position comes amid intense debate over the future structure of the NFF and the direction Nigerian football should take following recent administrative developments.
While some stakeholders have pushed for sweeping changes, Edeh believes the reform conversation must extend beyond the federation itself.
He argued that the Federal Government, which has been at the forefront of demands for changes in football administration, must also examine its own approach to the governance of the sport.
According to Edeh, reforming the NFF without addressing weaknesses in the wider system through which football is administered would risk producing an incomplete solution.
His comments suggest that discussions at the stakeholders meeting are focusing not only on personalities but also on the relationship between football authorities and government institutions.
Edeh remains optimistic that common ground can be found, particularly because he believes the NFF and NSC already agree on the fundamental need for change.
The crucial question, however, will be what form those changes eventually take.
For Edeh, Nigerian football needs comprehensive reform — but comprehensive reform should mean fixing the entire system, not simply removing everyone currently in office.
