Nigerian Football Federation Restructures League Leadership, Appoints New COO Amidst Reforms

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). This decision comes just a day after the NFF dissolved the leadership of the country's major domestic leagues, signaling a significant shake-up in football administration.

Abdulrahaman's appointment is effective immediately. His tenure begins as the 2026/27 NPFL season kicks off with the opening match between Shooting Stars and Inter Lagos. The new COO holds a doctorate in sports administration and brings extensive experience from working across various Nigerian domestic leagues.

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The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football.

The NFF's interim General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, stated that Abdulrahaman's appointment aligns with a directive for league chairmen, appointed directors, and chief executive officers to vacate their positions. This move places the day-to-day administration of the NPFL directly under the NFF Secretariat as part of a comprehensive reform process.

These changes are a direct response to President Bola Tinubu's call for sweeping reforms in Nigerian football. Tinubu emphasized the need to address structural weaknesses that have hampered the sport's progress, citing governance, administration, and competition management as key areas requiring improvement. The NFF has also suspended its elective congress, planning a new electoral process after completing these reforms in consultation with FIFA, CAF, and other stakeholders.

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Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system.