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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Nigeria Football Federation appoints new NPFL Chief Operating Officer as season kicks off

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman has been appointed the new Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
  • The appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took immediate effect on the opening day of the 2026/27 NPFL season.
  • This change is part of the NFF's ongoing restructuring of its management and league administration, following a directive for certain officials to vacate their positions.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), coinciding with the commencement of the 2026/27 season.

His appointment followed a directive issued by the NFF on Thursday, August 27, for all board members and chief executive officers of the various leagues, as well as chief operating officers who are not members of NFF staff, to vacate their positions.

— NFF StatementExplaining the context and directive leading to the appointment.

The NFF announced Abdulrahaman's appointment on Friday, the same day the league officially kicked off with a match between Shooting Stars and newly promoted Inter Lagos at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan. The federation confirmed that Abdulrahaman's appointment is effective immediately.

This move follows a directive issued by the NFF on Thursday, August 27, requiring all board members, chief executive officers of various leagues, and chief operating officers who are not NFF staff to step down from their roles. This directive is a component of the NFF's broader strategy to restructure its management and league administration.

Abdulrahaman will now oversee the operational administration of the NPFL as clubs begin their campaigns in the new season.

— NFF StatementDescribing the responsibilities of the newly appointed NPFL COO.

In addition to Abdulrahaman's appointment, the NFF also named Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme as the interim General Secretary on Thursday. Ikpeme confirmed Abdulrahaman's position, stating it aligns with the federation's directive. Abdulrahaman will now be responsible for overseeing the operational administration of the NPFL as clubs begin their campaigns for the league title, continental qualification spots, and survival.

The appointment comes a day after the NFF appointed Ikpeme as its interim General Secretary, following the directive for members of the federation’s management and secretariat affected by the restructuring to vacate their positions.

— Tosin OyediranProviding further context on recent NFF appointments and restructuring.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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