Mouktar demand competent, credible NFF Board
FCT Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Abba Mukhtar Mouktar, has called for the composition of a new Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board based on integrity, competence and credibility, warning against another cycle of patronage-driven appointments.
Mouktar, who contested the NFF presidency in 2022 alongside Ibrahim Gusau, Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, argued that “man-know-man” considerations had influenced federation appointments for too long, rather than proven football pedigree.
He stressed that Nigerians must have confidence in the credentials and competence of those selected to lead the country’s football administration.
His comments come amid a leadership crisis in the NFF following the resignation of President Ibrahim Gusau, the federation’s General Secretary and members of the Executive Committee.
The development followed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ unprecedented failure to secure a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The federation has also faced scrutiny over its handling of public funds, including a Department of State Services (DSS) probe into the utilisation of a N17 billion federal intervention fund released to settle outstanding salaries and bonuses owed to national teams.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerian football governance, covering accountability, stakeholder representation, player development and domestic competitions, while also suspending the elective process originally scheduled to produce new NFF leadership in September.
Mouktar described the crisis as structural rather than personal, likening the state of Nigerian football to advanced-stage cancer that requires fundamental changes.
He called for an expanded Congress and Board that would accommodate independent and credible voices, including former internationals, referees and other stakeholders of repute.
He also proposed a 10-year football blueprint with clear and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure administrators are held accountable for their performance.
Mouktar urged stakeholders not to allow investigations, blame games and controversies over past administrations to overshadow the task of rebuilding Nigerian football.
He also expressed hope that FIFA and CAF representatives would visit Nigeria for consultations, arguing that the Federal Government’s engagement with both bodies should ensure the process is not viewed as interference in football administration.
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