NFF Congress Approves Statute Amendments, fixes September 26 for elections

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved key amendments to its statutes and electoral framework, just as it fixed September 26, 2026, for its next elective congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State

These decisions were taken at an Extraordinary General Assembly held Monday at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

In a communique issued after the meeting, it noted that the
Congress, based on proposals by leaders of the six geopolitical zones, approved the appointment of twelve persons (two from each geopolitical zone) to serve on the NFF Electoral Committee and the NFF Electoral Appeals Committee.

The twelve persons nominated are: Barr. Matthew Burkala, SAN and Mr. Emmanuel Dada Obafemi (North Central); Alhaji Babagoni Grema and Barr. Benjamin Sak (North East) and Bature Musa and Prof. Abdulmalik Awwal (North West).

Others are; Hon. Justice C. J. Aneke and Arinze Azubuike Anughere, Esq. (South East), Hon. (Dr) Akogun Olugbenga Omole and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi, Esq. (South West),
Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie, Esq. and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam (South South).

According to the communique, the appointed persons will be inaugurated into the two different committees in Abuja on Wednesday, 25th March 2026, with members to choose their chairmen. In line with the NFF Electoral Code

Five persons will serve as full members on the Electoral Committee with two other persons as alternates, while three persons will serve on the Electoral Appeals Committee with two other persons as alternates.  

The communique also noted that the Congress while commending Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) for its 9-year meritorious service as independent auditors of the NFF, unanimously, approved the appointment of Messrs Ernst & Young (EY) as the new Independent Auditor of the Football house; saying that the appointment followed a rigorous process of selection that involved a total of seven firms, which made presentations to the committee that was saddled with the task of selecting a new internal auditor.

The auditing firm will serve a first term of four years in consistent with Federal Government regulations and provisions of the NFF Statutes.

The communique further stated that the Congress expressed deep gratitude to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the high consideration that has been accorded football and other sports, in budgetary provision and moral support since his administration came into office.

” This support and encouragement have been demonstrated severally in generous financial rewards to players and officials of the National Teams that excelled in international championships, as well as financial provision for the preparation and participation of the teams in these championships”, noted the communique.

The Congress also applauded the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who was physically present at the Expanded General Assembly where he delivered an insightful address, and the Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade for their concerted efforts at taking Nigeria football and sports generally to new heights.

It also commended the Government of Bayelsa State, led by the Executive Governor, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, for its support and encouragement of the development of football in the State and thanked the Government and people of Bayelsa State for their warmth and generosity in hosting delegates from all the states of the Federation and the FCT who attended the Extraordinary General Assembly.

The Congress praised the Deputy Governor of the state, His Excellency Pastor Peter Pere-Tubo Akpe, PhD, for his physical presence and kind words, as well as for pledges of greater support and encouragement for the NFF and Nigeria football going forward.

Representatives of world football-governing body, FIFA (Mr. Solomon Mudege, Head of Development Programmes – Africa) and continenta governing body, CAF (Mr. Nadim Magdy) were also praised by the congress for their physical presence and goodwill messages at the Extraordinary General Assembly.
 
Finally, the congress unanimously, passed a vote of confidence unanimous vote of confidence on the Executive Committee, led by its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON for their ongoing efforts in robustly developing the game of football across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

Earlier, a minute silence was observed in honour of former NFF Technical Director and two-time Coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde and former Nigeria captain Henry Nwosu (MON), as well as other stakeholders in Nigeria football who passed on in the past few months.