Nigeria’s domestic football structure has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ordered the leadership of the country’s major leagues to hand over their administrative duties amid sweeping changes at the federation.
NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye and NNL Chairman George Aluo are among those affected by the directive, which comes just a day after NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee resigned from their positions.
In a move that immediately changes the running of the domestic game, the NFF directed the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) to hand over the administration of their respective competitions to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs).
The federation further stated that where the existing COO is not an NFF staff member, Acting NFF General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme will appoint a replacement from within the federation.
The directive means Elegbeleye and Aluo will no longer oversee the day-to-day running of the NPFL and NNL respectively, as Nigerian football enters an interim administrative phase.
The development is particularly significant for Elegbeleye, whose exit from the league’s immediate administration comes shortly after the NPFL secured a major commercial breakthrough with the announcement of Euromatch as its new Official Title Sponsor.
The partnership was regarded as a major boost for the league’s commercial prospects, but attention has now shifted from the NPFL’s off-field gains to the uncertainty surrounding its administration.
For the NNL, Aluo’s removal comes at a crucial point as clubs prepare for the 2026/27 season and work towards the start of another campaign in Nigeria’s second-tier competition.
According to the NFF, the temporary measures are designed to maintain continuity and prevent disruption to football activities while the Federal Government, FIFA, CAF and other key stakeholders work towards broader reforms of the country’s football administration.
The latest shake-up also comes in the wake of the suspension of the NFF Elective Congress, originally scheduled for September 27. A new electoral process is expected to be conducted after the proposed reforms are concluded.
With the leadership structure of the federation already undergoing a major reset, the directive affecting the NPFL, NNL, NWFL and NLO adds another layer of uncertainty to Nigerian football.
