In a major shakeup hitting domestic sports governance, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed the chairmen, board directors, and Chief Executive Officers of all domestic football leagues to immediately step down and hand over operations to their respective Chief Operating Officers (COOs). The sweeping directive impacts the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), and Nationwide League One (NLO). High-profile league leaders exiting their roles as part of this decision include NPFL Board Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and NPFL Chief Operating Officer Prince Davidson Owumi.
The NFF stated that transferring league governance to COOs who are federated staff members acts as an interim measure to ensure administrative continuity while broader structural reforms are mapped out. In instances where current league COOs are not direct NFF employees, the Acting General Secretary has been authorized to deploy staff from the Federation to fill those operational roles.
This drastic restructuring across domestic league bodies comes on the heels of a total implosion within the upper hierarchy of Nigerian football governance. NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and a majority of the 13-member NFF Executive Committee resigned from their posts.
The resignations follow intense scrutiny from security agencies, including an investigation launched by the Department of State Services (DSS) into the alleged mismanagement of a ₦17 billion federal intervention fund. The funds were originally allocated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2024 to clear outstanding allowances and wages for national team players and staff.
The mounting administrative pressure follows severe performance setbacks for national teams, highlighted by the Super Eagles missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons failing to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Following these exits and league restructuring directives, President Bola Tinubu ordered a comprehensive reform process for Nigerian football administration. The interim COO setup across the leagues will remain active while stakeholders, FIFA, CAF, and government representatives draft a transition roadmap.
