Former Edo State Deputy Governor and Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Phillip Shaibu, has called for sweeping reforms in Nigerian football, warning that the country’s domestic game is experiencing a worrying decline that demands immediate attention from football authorities.
Shaibu made the remarks after the 2026 President Federation Cup final between El-Kanemi Warriors and Ikorodu City at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, where he expressed disappointment with the overall standard of football displayed in the championship match.
Sports247 reports that the former footballer described the quality of play as below the level expected from a nation with Nigeria’s rich football heritage, insisting that the final reflected the broader challenges confronting the domestic league.
According to Shaibu, the declining standard of local competitions has also affected the quality of home-based players available for selection into the Super Eagles, emphasizing that the country must return to building its football from the grassroots.
He stressed that meaningful development can only be achieved through sustained investment in youth football and lower-tier competitions, where future stars are identified and groomed before progressing to the elite level.
Shaibu’s comments have resonated with football stakeholders, many of whom described his observations as a timely wake-up call for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other key decision-makers.
Stakeholders particularly urged the NFF to prioritize the restructuring of the Nationwide League One (NLO), widely regarded as the foundation of Nigerian football development. They argued that strengthening the country’s third-tier league would significantly improve the overall football ecosystem.
Among the recommendations put forward are improved league organization, stricter player registration processes, enhanced club licensing standards, better officiating, and more professional league administration.
Football administrators also believe that a well-managed NLO will create a stronger pathway for talented players to progress through the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) before earning opportunities with the Super Eagles.
As conversations about the future of Nigerian football continue, Shaibu’s remarks have reignited calls for comprehensive reforms, with many insisting that sustainable success at the national team level can only be achieved by first rebuilding the game’s foundation at the grassroots.
