The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee has commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting Nigeria’s bid to host the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Congress and CAF Awards, while setting ambitious targets for the country’s national teams ahead of major international competitions.
Key Highlights:
- The NFF commended President Tinubu for supporting Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 CAF Congress and Awards.
- It praised government support for the NPFL and sought similar funding for other leagues.
- The Super Falcons and Falconets were tasked with winning their upcoming major tournaments.
- The Flamingos were congratulated for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
- The NFF also set up an interim board to oversee Beach Soccer and Futsal in Nigeria.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after the committee’s meeting held at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday.
The committee praised President Tinubu for approving Nigeria’s hosting of the two prestigious CAF events following discussions with CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe during the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, in May. It also expressed appreciation to Motsepe and the CAF leadership for selecting Nigeria as host.
The federation equally lauded the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), for providing a special intervention fund to strengthen the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), describing the support as a major boost to the league’s commercial growth and football economy.
While welcoming plans to extend similar support to the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), the committee appealed to the government to also assist the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nationwide League One (NLO).
The NFF also welcomed the NSC’s commitment to enforcing Club Licensing Regulations, saying strict compliance would improve professionalism and standards across Nigerian football.
On national teams, the committee urged the Super Falcons to retain the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco later this month and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Falconets were tasked with making history by becoming the first Nigerian team to win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup when the tournament kicks off in Poland in September, with the NFF Secretariat directed to ensure adequate preparations for the competition.
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The Executive Committee also congratulated the Flamingos for securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Benin 5-3 in Lomé, Togo, to complete an 8-5 aggregate victory.
The committee further celebrated Nigeria’s restoration to the CAF A-License Coaching Convention, urging Nigerian coaches to take advantage of training programmes organised by the federation to improve coaching standards across domestic competitions.
In another major decision, the NFF constituted an interim board to oversee Beach Soccer and Futsal activities in Nigeria. The board is chaired by Mahmud Hadejia, with Dele Gbajumo, Hon. Nkopuye Ukpe, Abdul-Nasir Adamu Senchi, Prof. Victor Madubuiko, Mohammed Bukar Alau and former Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi serving as members. Saraki Rasheed Oladimeji will serve as Chief Executive Officer, while a Chief Operating Officer will be appointed by the NFF General Secretary.
The committee also thanked Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for hosting the 2026 President Federation Cup final and commended the hospitality extended to football stakeholders during the event in Asaba.
The meeting was presided over by NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and attended by members of the Executive Committee and the federation’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi. Several members, including First Vice President Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Second Vice President Gbenga Elegbeleye, were absent with apologies.
