The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)
The Nigerian football federation (NFF) is an entity of the Federal Government that aims at developing football in the country. It is responsible for the management of various teams and leagues in Nigeria. The NFF also plays an important role in the development of the sport by promoting football and encouraging investment in the sector.
The NFF's Mission
The NFF's mission is to "develop and manage football in the country by ensuring the highest standards of fair play and ethical conduct". It also strives to improve the welfare of footballers, increase awareness, and promote competition.
Objective: Club Development and Growth
One of the main objectives of the NFF is to ensure that all clubs in the country are given opportunities to develop and grow through competitive matches in a number of national, regional, and international tournaments. It also seeks to create a sense of national pride in the nation by providing an arena for the display of Nigerian talent on the global stage.
Challenges and Scandals
In recent years, the NFF has been involved in numerous scandals that have led to the downfall of several leaders. These include the sack of a number of coaches and managers, the corruption of NFF staff, and the politicization of the organization.
The Super Eagles: A Standard of Play
Despite the many challenges faced by the NFF, the federation has been able to maintain a high standard of play. Its reputation has been largely based on the performance of its men's national team, the Super Eagles. The team has a large number of fans and has become one of the most popular sports teams in the world with over 200 million people watching them live. The team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup on six occasions and has won three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles.
Financial Crisis and Leadership Change
However, the team has failed to qualify for a major international competition on four other occasions. Currently, the federation is battling to manage its financial crisis. After the NFF's president, Amaju Pinnick, resigned, there was a lot of turmoil surrounding the elections that led to the emergence of Ahmed Gusau as the new president. The process had been a long and convoluted affair that had been mired in a court case and even a bomb threat.
NFF's Master Plan
According to reports, the election was halted two weeks before it was supposed to take place after a group that claimed to represent football stakeholders in the country lodged a suit against the NFF and threatened to bomb the poll venue if the vote went ahead. A letter signed by the group called on the NFF to "stop the election until all the reforms in the Federation are effected." It accused Pinnick and his lieutenants of committing "atrocities" in the campaign.
The New Leadership
In the end, the NFF managed to overcome the legal hurdles and held the elections. Its Board is now led by Gusau.
The Master Plan for the Future
The Master Plan that Dare unveiled was a 10-year roadmap for the federation that will focus on business opportunities along the value chain, governance structure, standardization and prioritization of the welfare of footballers, education and awareness. It will also promote efficient club administration, positive stakeholder engagement, and local and international partnerships and collaborations.
