Jalla Rejects NFF Statute Amendments, Demands Board Dissolution

A fresh storm has erupted in Nigerian football governance following the amendment of statutes by the Nigeria Football Federation at its Extraordinary General Assembly in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with reform advocate Prince Harrison Jalla leading a fierce rejection of the exercise.

Jalla, chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts, described the amendments as “cosmetic” and dismissed the entire process as a “charade” that cannot stand, accusing football administrators of entrenching themselves in power at the expense of the game’s progress.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, Jalla alleged that the Congress—dominated by State Football Association chairmen—was manipulated to expand its structure while preserving the control of a select few.

“Yesterday’s charade in Yenagoa cannot stand,” he declared. “How long will the NFF, driven by State FA chairmen, continue to go on a frolic of their own? These so-called amendments change nothing. They are merely cosmetic and do not address the deep-rooted governance issues plaguing Nigerian football.”

Despite his criticism, Jalla commended Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, for what he described as a “brilliant and forthright” address at the gathering, noting that Nigerian football remains a “critical national asset” that must be properly managed.

Call for Government Intervention

The reform advocate warned that stakeholders would intensify pressure on authorities to intervene, insisting that the current leadership structure of the NFF is no longer acceptable.

“As critical stakeholders, we will not allow our football to be run in this old-fashioned way any longer,” Jalla said. “We shall challenge this in the public square until the Federal Government steps in decisively.”

He went further to demand the dissolution of the current NFF board, led by Ibrahim Musa Gusau, arguing that continued leadership under the same structure would only deepen the crisis.

“By now, a serious government should have dissolved the Gusau-led board and initiated prosecutions, including those of previous administrations,” he stated.

Legal Backdrop and World Cup Failures

Jalla anchored part of his argument on the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which he said had already set aside the NFF election conducted on 30 September 2022. He insisted that the ongoing legal process renders the current administrative actions questionable.

He also linked what he termed “administrative incompetence” to Nigeria’s recent struggles on the global stage, particularly the failure to qualify for consecutive FIFA World Cups.

“The same individuals who presided over our decline now seek to continue on the same path without accountability,” Jalla said. “They should be apologising to Nigerians, not consolidating power.”

Warning of Escalatio

In his most pointed remarks, Jalla warned of possible escalation if authorities fail to act, stressing that stakeholders would not stand by while the sport deteriorates further.

“Nigerian football deserves to be in the best hands—leadership that can attract government and private sector support, not one steeped in mediocrity and corruption,” he said. “If necessary, we shall explore every legitimate means to ensure the system is reset.”

He concluded by maintaining that the decisions reached in Bayelsa “are of no consequence” and vowed that reform advocates would “remain in the trenches” until meaningful change is achieved.

The NFF is yet to issue an official response to the allegations, but the latest outburst underscores the growing tension surrounding football administration in Nigeria, with calls for transparency, accountability, and structural reform growing louder by the day.