Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Initiative, Prince Harrison Jalla, has called for the election of an ex-footballer as the next President of the Nigeria Football Federation, saying it is the only way to end corruption and restore the game.
In a statement, Jalla said Nigeria’s football history since 1945 shows that “no thoroughbred ex-footballer has been offered a position of leadership in Nigeria Football, either by election or appointment.”
He blamed the last 12 years of NFF leadership for the decline, accusing officials of having “no business being close to the business of football.”
“They lord over the NFF, embezzling and misappropriating funds for football development with impunity,” Jalla alleged. “They deny and short-change national team players of their entitlements, allowances and match bonuses. No transparency and accountability.”
Jalla, who played in the era of the Green Eagles and Flying Eagles, described football clubs then as “one big family” built on discipline and camaraderie. He credited coaches like the late Dan Anyiam, Adegboye Onigbinde, and Godwin Etemike for instilling both skill and morals.
According to him, the same training makes ex-players the most qualified to lead.
“A qualified ex-footballer… is the best candidate to fix Nigeria Football at the moment,” he said. “An ex-footballer leadership of the NFF will put an end to corruption, prioritise players’ welfare, ensure top-notch football infrastructure, develop our domestic leagues.”
Jalla said retired players at home and abroad are ready to serve and that a credible ex-player leadership would attract sponsorship.
“The campaign starts right now. We can no longer watch from the sidelines for strangers in Nigeria Football,” he declared. “It’s time to assert ourselves to rescue Nigeria Football.”
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention is “specifically to give ex-players a chance.”
