Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has called for a renewed spirit of unity and responsibility within Nigerian football, warning that constant misinformation and negativity are damaging the country’s image on the international stage.
Pinnick, who served two terms as NFF boss and remains a member of FIFA’s influential committees, said that many Nigerians do not understand the structure of football administration, noting that several key NFF officials are paid directly by FIFA rather than the Nigerian government.
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He revealed that positions such as the General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary, and Director of Technical — along with up to twenty support staff — fall under FIFA’s payroll and supervision.
He also highlighted the governing body’s separate financial support for women’s football, stressing that global football development funds are tightly monitored and audited. “It’s important that Nigerians understand how these systems work before rushing to conclusions,” Pinnick said.
According to him, the growing trend of attacking national institutions on social media and in the press has already hurt Nigeria’s credibility abroad. He cited the country’s recent failure to secure hosting rights for the Commonwealth Games as one of the consequences of its fractured sporting image.
Pinnick urged stakeholders, fans, and the media to focus on constructive engagement rather than fueling divisions.
“When we discredit our institutions, we make it harder for the world to take us seriously,” he said. “FIFA and CAF value transparency, but they also value stability. It’s time we all work together to rebuild trust in Nigerian football.”
He concluded by appealing to Nigerians to support the government’s ongoing efforts in sports development, saying that unity — not public conflict — remains the most powerful tool to elevate the nation’s standing in world football.
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