Former Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Babayaro has confirmed he will contest for a seat on the Nigeria Football Federation Board at the September elective congress.
Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Babayaro has officially declared his intention to contest for a seat on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board at the federation’s elective congress scheduled for September, saying he wants to play an active role in rebuilding Nigerian football.
The former Super Eagles defender revealed that he initially considered running for the presidency of the NFF but decided it would be more strategic to begin his journey on the Board, where he believes he can contribute meaningfully to the federation’s decision-making process.
Babayaro’s announcement comes at a time when discussions over governance and structural reforms continue to dominate Nigerian football, with stakeholders calling for greater accountability and long-term planning.
“I wanted to contest for the presidency initially, but I’ve decided to start from the Board. The important thing is to be part of the process of changing Nigerian football for the better,” Babayaro said.
The former international stressed that he would rather work from within the system than remain on the sidelines criticising those in charge.
According to him, meaningful reforms can only be achieved when experienced football people are willing to accept responsibility and contribute to shaping the future of the game.
“It’s better to get involved and help implement change than to sit outside and complain. Nigerian football needs people who are ready to contribute positively,” he added.
A member of the famous Babayaro football family, Emmanuel represented Nigeria during his playing career before moving into football administration and development, remaining actively involved in discussions surrounding the growth of the game.
The NFF elective congress later this year is expected to attract significant interest, with several stakeholders positioning themselves to play key roles in shaping the future direction of Nigerian football.
