NFF Congress expansion signals new era
A major shift in Nigerian football governance is underway, with club influence set to grow following a bold reform backed by Gbenga Elegbeleye.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League and Second Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation has thrown his weight behind the decision by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau to expand the Federation’s Congress describing it as a long overdue reform that finally gives clubs a meaningful say in decision making.
Under the new structure, representation is being widened across the domestic game. The NPFL will now produce 10 delegates, including five from the top-performing clubs at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
The Nigeria National League and Nigeria Nationwide League One will also contribute two delegates each, ensuring broader inclusion across tiers.
More significantly, the top five NPFL clubs will gain voting rights in the upcoming NFF elections a move designed to reward performance while injecting competitiveness into league football.
Elegbeleye believes this restructuring marks a turning point, aligning governance more closely with those driving the game on the pitch. Beyond administration, he pointed to encouraging progress within the national teams under Gusau’s leadership, including the Nigeria national football team run to an Africa Cup of Nations final, followed by a semi-final finish and bronze medal.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualification setback, he maintained that the broader trajectory remains positive, citing improvements in youth competitions and sustained investment in domestic leagues including the Nigeria Women Football League.
For Elegbeleye, Gusau’s administrative journey through various levels of football leadership has positioned him to drive meaningful change, even amid financial limitations.
With expanded representation and increased backing for grassroots structures, the latest reforms suggest a governance model shifting toward inclusivity one that could redefine how Nigerian football evolves in the years ahead.
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