FIFA letter: A storm in a tea cup

We plead with Mallam Shehu Dikko not to demean the office of the Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

That office is equal and more relevant than the office of many serving ministers because the Commission has more direct access to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the Commission is directly under the Presidency.

That office deserves its dignity. We outline the following reasons:

(1) The issue of FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0 project funds (2016–2022) Dikko came on national TV to defend the NFF with misleading claims that the funds released by FIFA for the Kebbi and Ugborodo mini-stadiums and other football infrastructures had no link with the NFF, and that it was a direct project between FIFA and the contractors. We debunked these claims with evidence through the NFF accounts with the CBN, existing signed contracts between the contractors and the NFF, monies paid, and illegal deductions of $200,000 each from the contractors as taxes.

(2) The bogus petition against the Republic of DR Congo to FIFA over players with alleged dual nationality Dikko was also all over the media giving credence to a fake petition that was not even properly before FIFA because the statutory fees accompanying such petitions were not paid by the NFF. Yet Nigerians and the Presidency were being assured that the Super Eagles would qualify for the 2026 World Cup through a phantom disqualification of DR Congo.

(3) The recent visit to FIFA who initiated the visit? Was there an invitation from FIFA? And if we must go to FIFA, do we really need a high-ranking office holder as the NSC Chairman? How many European sports ministers go to FIFA? It is FIFA that should pay a courtesy visit to Dikko, not the other way round.

The FIFA 7th September 2026 letter has clarified issues on the outcome of the 1st September 2026 meeting in Zurich between the Nigerian delegation and FIFA, and it is at variance with the position Dikko presented to Nigerians on national TV.

The FIFA letter stated categorically that no decision has been reached moving forward until proper stakeholders’ meetings are held in Nigeria.

The information in the public domain means Dikko misrepresented facts to Nigerians as a public office holder.

All these shenanigans and scheming are orchestrated towards hijacking both the transition and proper electoral process of the NFF. Nigeria football has been in a similar situation in 2006.

The structure was not completely destroyed when late Ibrahim Galadima, of blessed memory, and his board were removed from office. The professional league and other league structures were retained in line with the CAF, FIFA and NFF statutes. And the late Chief Oyiuki Obaseki, of blessed memory, who was 2nd Vice President of the NFF, stepped in to lead the transition process as Acting President of the NFF to midwife the election that brought in the Sani Lulu Abdullahi’s Board.

It was a fatal error to have dissolved the Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and other league boards and their structures. That should be the responsibility of the incoming NFF Board. Not even when the NPFL has just secured a sponsorship deal of $7.5 million should you throw away the baby and the bath water.

The simple solution is to immediately restore all the leagues and their structures back to the status quo.

While Dikko and the NSC should take a back seat and wait for official reports of the transition process for onward transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, a concerted effort by stakeholders should drive the transition process.

That is what FIFA are literally saying in its letter of 7th September 2026.

This is an internal matter that would have been resolved quietly, but the gang holding our football to ransom chose to run to FIFA without proper consultations.

We, Nigeria football stakeholders, must make our position clear in the upcoming meetings with FIFA that we are capable of resolving our issues and differences without third parties.

Prince Harrison Jalla,

Chairman ,Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Initiative

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