Amun Demands Total Reform Of Nigeria’s Football, Warns NFF Officials Against Overreach

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary-General and ex-chairman of the federation’s fact-finding committee, Ambassador Fanny Amun, has called for sweeping reforms in Nigerian football, accusing administrators of overstepping their responsibilities and contributing to the country’s persistent football problems.

Amun said Nigerian football would continue to struggle unless the administration of the sport was restructured to promote accountability, competence and proper oversight.

Speaking on the outcome of the committee’s work, Amun backed President Bola Tinubu’s call for “total reform” in the sports sector, saying the crisis in Nigerian football had made such intervention necessary.

He argued that many football administrators had failed to understand the distinction between their responsibilities and those of government sports authorities.

According to him, the National Sports Commission should formulate policies, provide direction and exercise oversight, while federations should operate within their regulatory and administrative responsibilities.

“When you are engaging any of these board members or Congress, ask them: what is the meaning of the oversight function and the contribution to policy?” Amun said.

He added: “The National Sports Commission is to formulate policies, guide it through, make sure they are not violated, and have an oversight function.”

Amun also criticised what he described as the entrenched nature of football administration in Nigeria, questioning why some individuals had remained in positions of influence for 15 or even 27 years.

“People stand there for 27 years. Some stand 15 years. People will call and say, ‘Why must they be there forever?’” he said.

The former national team coach argued that football administration should be opened to fresh ideas and broader participation rather than dominated by a small group of individuals.

He also called for greater transparency in the conduct of elections, saying stakeholders should be given a genuine opportunity to participate without unnecessary restrictions.

Amun, who served on the fact-finding committee established to investigate the poor performances of Nigeria’s national teams, said its work exposed weaknesses across the country’s football administration.

He maintained that the problems were not limited to players or coaches, insisting that administrators must also accept responsibility when national teams perform poorly.

The former NFF official further urged football stakeholders to prioritise merit in the appointment of coaches and selection of players, warning that administrative interference could undermine the quality and competitiveness of Nigeria’s national teams.

For Amun, meaningful reform must therefore go beyond changing personalities; saying structures and practices responsible for recurring problems must also be addressed.

“We needed a reform,” he said, welcoming the President’s intervention in the sports sector.

Amun’s call comes amid renewed scrutiny of Nigerian football administration and growing demands for greater accountability, transparency, and professionalism in managing the country’s national teams.