The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, describing it as a timely and necessary intervention to rebuild the sport from the grassroots to the highest level.
Adeboye said the President’s decision reflects a clear understanding that Nigeria’s football challenges are no longer simply about results on the pitch, but about strengthening the structures, governance, administration and development pathways that produce those results.
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President Tinubu had directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to facilitate a broad and consultative reform process, including appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF.
Reacting to the development, Adeboye said the directive provides an opportunity to address long-standing structural challenges and create a football system capable of matching Nigeria’s enormous talent and passion for the game.
“Mr. President has spoken very clearly. Nigeria has the talent, the passion and the resources, but we must build the right system around them. This is the time to look at the entire football structure, from the grassroots to the national teams, and make the necessary changes that will give Nigerian football a sustainable future.”
The Presidential aide said the reform must place strong emphasis on grassroots development, youth pathways, school football, competitions, governance, accountability, player welfare and the development of coaches and administrators.
According to him, Nigeria cannot continue to discover exceptional talents at the grassroots without creating a clear and properly managed pathway through which those talents can progress into professional football and the national teams.
“The future of Nigerian football is sitting in our schools, academies, communities and local government areas. We must create a system where a young boy or girl discovered at the grassroots can move through a clearly defined pathway all the way to the national team.”
Adeboye also spoke warmly about the outgoing NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, following his decision to step aside, describing him as a good man, a personal friend and a passionate lover of Nigerian football.
He said Gusau deserves commendation for recognising the concerns and voices of Nigerians and for taking a decision that, in his view, demonstrates his love for the game and his willingness to put the broader interest of Nigerian football first.
“Gusau is a good man and a good friend. He has played his part and I commend him for his love for Nigerian football. I also appreciate his decision to listen to the voice of the masses. That takes courage, and whatever comes next, we should acknowledge the contributions he has made to the game.”
The SSA stressed that the current moment should not be used to apportion blame but rather to unite stakeholders around the task of rebuilding Nigerian football.
He called on the NFF, clubs, state football associations, former internationals, players, coaches, supporters, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to approach the reform process with an open mind and a shared commitment to the future of the game.
Adeboye further welcomed the President’s emphasis on broad consultation and engagement with FIFA and CAF, noting that Nigeria must pursue reform while maintaining its responsibilities within the international football framework.
“This is not about one individual or one institution. It is about Nigerian football. We need everybody at the table, we need to listen to one another and we need to put the interest of the game first.”
He said the reform process also presents an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between grassroots football and the elite system, ensuring that the country’s vast pool of young talents becomes a sustainable source of strength for Nigerian clubs and national teams.
Adeboye reaffirmed the commitment of his office to supporting every genuine initiative that will strengthen grassroots football and provide young Nigerians with opportunities to develop their talents.
He expressed optimism that the President’s intervention would usher in a new chapter for Nigerian football—one built on strong institutions, accountability, proper development pathways, better competitions and sustained investment in talent.
“We should not be afraid of reform. If we truly love Nigerian football, this is the time to fix what needs to be fixed and build what has been missing. The objective is simple: to create a football system that works for the players, the clubs, the national teams and, ultimately, the Nigerian people.”
