The presidential aide says the intervention can rebuild Nigerian football from schools and communities to the national teams

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeyinka, has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive football reform process, describing the intervention as a timely opportunity to rebuild Nigerian football from the grassroots upwards.

Also read: Ghost Workers: Tinubu orders audit of IPPIS, FG agencies

Adeyinka said on Friday, August 28, 2026, that the President’s decision recognised that Nigeria’s football difficulties extend beyond results on the pitch to deeper questions surrounding governance, administration, talent development and the structures responsible for producing successful teams.

President Tinubu has directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the Nigeria Football Federation Secretariat and other stakeholders to facilitate a broad consultation on reforming the sport, including appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF.

For Adeyinka, the proposed football reform offers an opportunity to establish a system capable of matching Nigeria’s vast football talent and enduring passion for the game.

“Mr. President has spoken very clearly. Nigeria has the talent, the passion and the resources, but we must build the right system around them,” Adeyinka said.

“This is the time to look at the entire football structure, from the grassroots to the national teams, and make the necessary changes that will give Nigerian football a sustainable future.”

The presidential aide said the process should pay particular attention to grassroots development, school football, youth pathways, competitions, governance, accountability, player welfare and the training of coaches and administrators.

He argued that Nigeria could not continue to discover promising players in schools, academies and local communities without providing them with a structured route into professional football and the national teams.

“The future of Nigerian football is sitting in our schools, academies, communities and local government areas,” he said.

“We must create a system where a young boy or girl discovered at the grassroots can move through a clearly defined pathway all the way to the national team.”

That emphasis places grassroots development at the heart of the proposed changes.

Nigeria has historically produced an impressive stream of football talent, from its youth teams to internationally recognised senior players. Yet concerns over youth competitions, player development, coaching structures, club administration and the transition from amateur to professional football have persisted.

Adeyinka said the reform should therefore strengthen the connection between the grassroots and elite levels so that emerging players can develop within a reliable and properly managed system.

Gusau receives commendation

Adeyinka also spoke positively about Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau following his decision to step aside as NFF president.

He described Gusau as a good man, personal friend and passionate supporter of Nigerian football, while commending him for what he characterised as a willingness to listen to public concerns.

“Gusau is a good man and a good friend. He has played his part and I commend him for his love for Nigerian football,” Adeyinka said.

“I also appreciate his decision to listen to the voice of the masses. That takes courage, and whatever comes next, we should acknowledge the contributions he has made to the game.”

The remarks come at a sensitive moment for Nigerian football, with the proposed reforms expected to generate debate over the administration of the sport and the future direction of the NFF.

Adeyinka, however, urged stakeholders to resist turning the process into an exercise in blame.

Instead, he called for a collective approach involving the NFF, professional clubs, state football associations, former internationals, players, coaches, supporters, corporate organisations and other stakeholders.

“This is not about one individual or one institution. It is about Nigerian football. We need everybody at the table, we need to listen to one another and we need to put the interest of the game first,” he said.

The presidential aide also welcomed the proposed consultation with FIFA and CAF, stressing that Nigeria’s domestic reforms must be pursued within the country’s obligations to the international football system.

That consideration could prove important because changes to football governance often require careful coordination with international football authorities, particularly where national federation structures and regulations are involved.

Adeyinka said the reform process should ultimately produce stronger institutions, more accountable administration, better competitions and greater investment in players and technical development.

He also reaffirmed his office’s willingness to support credible initiatives aimed at strengthening grassroots football and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.

“We should not be afraid of reform. If we truly love Nigerian football, this is the time to fix what needs to be fixed and build what has been missing,” he said.

“The objective is simple: to create a football system that works for the players, the clubs, the national teams and, ultimately, the Nigerian people.”

The coming consultation will determine how ambitious that vision becomes.

Also read: JUST IN: Tinubu meets APC governors ahead of 2027 poll

For Nigerian football, however, the presidential directive has already opened an important conversation about whether the country’s remarkable reservoir of talent can finally be matched by institutions and development pathways strong enough to sustain it.