FIFA President Gianni Infantino has thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s football reform process, stressing the need for stronger structures and greater opportunities for young players following high-level talks with a Nigerian delegation in Zurich.
Infantino disclosed that he was pleased to meet a delegation led by National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko at the Home of FIFA in Switzerland, where they held detailed discussions on the future of Nigerian football.
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“We had a detailed talk on institutional, governance and developmental topics, as well as our ongoing collaborations,” Infantino said in a statement shared on his social media platforms.
The FIFA president said the meeting also focused on creating “stronger structures and pathways” that would provide more opportunities for Nigerian youths to develop through football.
“We explored areas where FIFA can further support the growth of our beautiful game in this football-passionate country,” he added.
The meeting comes at a crucial moment for Nigerian football following the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee.
FIFA has since accepted the resignations and agreed to continue discussions with the Nigerian government, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on a comprehensive roadmap for reform.
The talks in Zurich are expected to help shape short-, medium- and long-term reforms aimed at improving the governance, administration and development of football in Nigeria.
The Nigerian delegation was led by Dikko and included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, former NFF president Amaju Pinnick and officials of the interim NFF administration.
Infantino also used the meeting to wish Nigeria’s Falconets and U-17 women’s team success at their upcoming FIFA World Cup competitions.
He thanked the Nigerian delegation for its “time, ideas and positive intent” to work together in taking Nigerian football forward.
The development represents a significant step in Nigeria’s attempt to overhaul its football administration, with FIFA’s continued involvement expected to be crucial in ensuring that the reform process produces an inclusive and stable structure for the country’s game.
