PFAN Backs Tinubu’s Football Reforms, Demands Players’ Inclusion in NFF Restructuring By Raymond Enoch
The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) has thrown its full support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football, insisting that players and other key stakeholders must occupy a central position in the restructuring process.
PFAN President, Tijani Babangida, MON, stated this while addressing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, as the association reacted to the resignation of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and members of its Executive Board.
The association said the resignations followed what it described as President Tinubu’s “clear and decisive call for comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football.”
“As the sole recognized body representing current and past Nigerian footballers, we note with keen interest the recent developments in our football administration,” PFAN said in a statement.
The association recalled that it had, for more than two decades, championed calls for greater transparency, accountability and inclusive governance in the administration of Nigerian football.
“For over two decades, PFAN has been at the forefront of the agitation for transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance in Nigerian football. The call for equal representation has been on the front burner of PFAN and we are happy for the intended reforms,” it stated.
PFAN commended the Federal Government for its intervention and expressed confidence in the National Sports Commission (NSC), under its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, to lead the reform process.
While declaring its “absolute support” for the proposed reforms, the footballers’ body outlined three critical principles it believes should guide the restructuring to ensure a credible and globally compliant football administration.
The association first called for a holistic and inclusive reform that guarantees genuine stakeholder representation, stressing that footballers—the “very people who are the product and face of the game”—must be adequately represented in the decision-making process.
PFAN also urged the authorities to ensure that the reform process remains fully compliant with the statutes and principles of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, as well as established standards of good governance and the autonomy of football administration.
According to the association, strict adherence to these principles is necessary to protect Nigeria’s international standing and prevent possible sanctions.
Third, PFAN pledged its readiness to collaborate with the NSC, relevant government agencies, CAF, FIFA and other stakeholders in rebuilding Nigerian football.
“Our wealth of experience on and off the pitch is an asset that must be harnessed,” the association said.
PFAN further expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for demonstrating what it described as the necessary “political will” to “restore sanity to our football ecosystem.”
However, the association made a fresh appeal to the President to ensure fairness in the running of the National Sports Commission Board, describing the issue as critical to preventing legal and administrative loopholes that could undermine the Commission’s operations at a crucial period of reform.
“Nigerian football deserves a new dawn. The players are ready to play our part,” PFAN declared.
The latest development represents one of the most significant government interventions in Nigerian football administration in recent years, with the Tinubu administration seeking to reposition the sector through greater accountability, inclusive governance and improved performance on the international stage.
