The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ordered sweeping interim changes to the administration of Nigeria’s domestic leagues, with the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) among those affected.
In a directive issued by the NFF, the Chairmen, appointed Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the NPFL, Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One have been instructed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs).
As part of the directive, where a league’s COO is not a member of the NFF staff, the Acting General Secretary of the federation will deploy a new COO from within the NFF.
The development means Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the NPFL Board, and Davidson Owumi, the NPFL Chief Executive Officer, are set to leave their respective positions as the federation implements the interim arrangement.
Why has the NFF taken the decision?
According to the NFF, the measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during a transition period.
The federation said the changes are being implemented pending the conclusion of engagements with FIFA, CAF, the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders.
These engagements, according to the directive, are aimed at developing a roadmap towards the comprehensive reforms envisaged for Nigerian football and determining the next steps for their activation.
The NFF has not provided further details on the specific reforms or the duration of the interim arrangements.
More changes expected
The federation also indicated that the latest directive is only an interim measure, with further changes and directives expected to be communicated in due course.
For the NPFL, the development marks a major change in its administrative structure, with the league now set to operate under the interim arrangement directed by the NFF.
The immediate focus will be on maintaining continuity across Nigeria’s domestic competitions while the federation continues its engagements with FIFA, CAF, the government and other stakeholders over the proposed reforms.
More updates are expected as the NFF communicates the next steps.
