Confederation of African Football (CAF) Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa, has categorically dismissed reports linking him with the vacant position of General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, insisting that he has no interest whatsoever in taking up the role.
Emeruwa, who has emerged as one of the experienced Nigerian figures in international football administration, made his position clear amid renewed speculation over who could occupy the influential position as part of the ongoing reorganisation of Nigerian football.
The CAF official said he has neither applied for the position nor authorised anyone to lobby or negotiate on his behalf, describing the continued reports linking him to the NFF Secretariat as unfortunate.
“I have not sought the position, I have not expressed interest in it, and I have not authorised anyone to canvass, negotiate or speak on my behalf regarding the position of General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation.”
Emeruwa explained that his position has remained unchanged since the last NFF presidential election four years ago, when he contested the presidency of the federation.
According to him, he was offered the opportunity to become NFF General Secretary at the time but turned it down because occupying the Secretariat position was never the objective behind his decision to seek the federation’s presidency.
“Four years ago, I presented myself to contest for the Presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation. During that period, I was offered the opportunity to become General Secretary of the NFF. I declined the offer.”
He stressed that nothing has changed since then.
“My position four years ago was clear. My position today remains the same.”
The renewed speculation comes at a sensitive period for Nigerian football, following the resignation of the former NFF leadership and the ongoing process to reorganise the federation.
Emeruwa’s name has attracted attention because of his extensive experience in football administration. He previously worked within the NFF system before moving to CAF, where he rose to become the organisation’s Head of Safety and Security. He also contested for the NFF presidency in 2022.
That background has made him a prominent name whenever discussions about the future administration of Nigerian football arise.
However, Emeruwa wants that discussion to exclude him from the race for the General Secretary position.
He revealed that he had personally contacted journalist Sam Audu, whose recent report again linked him with the vacant position, to clarify his position and inform him that he was awaiting a retraction.
Emeruwa subsequently appealed to members of the media, football stakeholders and the wider public to stop associating his name with permutations concerning the office.
“I did not want the position then. I do not want it now. I have no interest whatsoever in becoming the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation.”
The emphatic clarification effectively removes Emeruwa’s name from the growing speculation over who could take charge of the NFF Secretariat during the federation’s current transition.
For now, the CAF safety chief remains focused on his responsibilities at the continental level, while Nigeria’s football authorities continue discussions on the structure and leadership that will emerge from the reform process.
*As Nigerian football searches for a new direction, Christian Emeruwa has made one thing unmistakably clear — the NFF General Secretary’s office is not part of his plans.*
 Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa, has categorically dismissed reports linking him with the vacant position of General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, insisting that he has no interest whatsoever in taking up the role.){kind=link}