Former Gombe State Football Association chairman Shuaibu Gara-Gombe has criticised the decision to involve FIFA in Nigeria’s ongoing football reform process, arguing that the country’s football stakeholders should have been capable of resolving the crisis internally.
Nigeria is undergoing a major administrative transition following the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other Executive Committee members in late August. FIFA subsequently accepted the resignations and continued discussions with the NFF, National Sports Commission and CAF over a roadmap for comprehensive reforms.
Gara-Gombe, however, believes the involvement of the world governing body reflects poorly on Nigerian football administration.
“It is a shame and a disgrace that we have to take our dirty linen outside for people to come and wash it for us,” Gara-Gombe said.
The veteran administrator argued that the NFF Congress should have been allowed to use the federation’s existing structures to resolve the leadership situation and pursue reforms internally.
That position is similar to one recently presented to FIFA and CAF by State FA chairmen. Gombe FA chairman Yakubu Sarma said the group supports reform but believes existing NFF, CAF and FIFA statutes provide mechanisms for an internally driven transition.
Gara-Gombe also turned his criticism towards the National Sports Commission, which has been centrally involved in the reform process following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerian football.
He argued that the Commission itself requires institutional reform and criticised the absence of a governing board, while directing personal criticism at NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade over how the body is being administered.
The NSC, for its part, says its engagement with FIFA, CAF and Nigerian football stakeholders is intended to create a more inclusive, stable and properly structured federation.
The disagreement highlights one of the central questions confronting Nigerian football: not whether reform is necessary, but who should drive it and through what structure.
With FIFA and CAF assessing the competing positions, the eventual framework for Nigeria’s football transition remains subject to their continuing consultation and the applicable football statutes.
