Renowned Nigerian sports journalist and multiple award-winning writer, Ajibade Olusesan has strongly criticised the leadership of Nigerian football and former NFF President Amaju Pinnick for the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
He particularly blamed former president Pinnick for what he describes as the “systematic destruction” of the country’s football structure.
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He added that the current administration under Ibrahim Gusau has continued on the same trajectory and “must go” if Nigerian football is to recover.
Ajibade traces the root of the decline to September 30, 2014, when Pinnick assumed office as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
According to him, the administration inherited a thriving football ecosystem built on competitive depth, effective youth structures, and strategic planning.
At the time, Nigeria had just won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and already had a well-laid plan for the victorious 2015 U-17 squad.
However, Ajibade argues that the progress halted abruptly.
“Under Pinnick, the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 AFCON tournaments, an outcome unthinkable for a team that had recently dominated African football.” Ajibade begins.
“The once-reliable youth football pipeline also collapsed, with the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles losing their competitive edge. ”
“Since winning the U-17 World Cup in 2015, Nigeria has managed to qualify for the tournament only once,* he noted.
Ajibade also criticised the growing dependence on foreign-born players, suggesting that many lack deep understanding of Nigeria’s football culture and may not have considered Nigeria if they had better prospects with their countries of birth.
He insists: ” Gusau’s administration is merely an extension of the locust years under Pinnick,” I am calling for a total overhaul of football leadership to enable genuine reform.”.
The veteran journalist did not spare his colleagues either in the pen pushing business.
He noted that sports journalism has also contributed to the decay, accusing some journalists of failing to hold football administrators accountable.
“Financial inducements and personal interests has influenced many reporters, resulting in muted criticism and compromised standards.*
Ajibade recalled the uproar following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, when journalists spoke boldly and held the authorities responsible. He urged journalists to return to that ethos of integrity and courage.
He concluded by calling for a renewed commitment to professionalism, transparency, and accountability in both football administration and sports reporting, emphasising that only such an approach can restore Nigerian football to its rightful place.
