Nigeria: NFF Probe Uncovers Deep-Seated Rot, Calls for Sweeping Reforms in Nigerian Football

What the report says

Nigeria’s football federation is facing renewed scrutiny after a fact-finding committee said it uncovered serious administrative, technical and structural problems inside the Nigeria Football Federation. The probe was set up after Nigeria’s recent struggles in international football, including the Super Falcons’ failure to retain their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco and their missed chance to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The committee, chaired by former NFF general secretary Fanny Amun and including former internationals Desire Oparanozie and Mutiu Adepoju, reviewed governance, financing, grassroots development, league administration and national-team management. According to the report published by Leadership and distributed by AllAfrica, it raised concerns about interference in player selection, possible improper incentives around camp invitations, uneven treatment of players and officials, and access to national-team camps by unauthorized personnel. It did not find evidence that any individual player influenced selection during the Morocco campaign.

The report also said Ashleigh Plumptre’s absence from the squad was medically justified after surgery. Beyond the tournament, the committee recommended major reforms across the NPFL, NNL, NLO and NWFL, along with stronger coaching education, scouting, age-verification systems and use of modern data tools. It urged the federation to tighten governance, limit long tenures in office and build clearer development plans for men’s and women’s football. The findings matter because they point to broader concerns about professionalism and accountability in Nigerian football, not just one poor tournament showing.