PFAN Calls Out NFF for Governance Failures
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
TENSIONS are rising within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as questions over governance intensify ahead of the 2026 elections. Prince Harrison Jalla, chairman of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) task force, has accused several stakeholders—most notably the 37 State Football Association chairmen—of maintaining a “fatally defective governance structure” that favors entrenched interests.
According to Jalla, this group is seeking to consolidate power by sidelining other federating units and the private sector, a move that flouts a 2022 presidential directive and a court order. PFAN argues that such actions undermine fairness and transparency in Nigerian football, warning that the upcoming elections cannot proceed without comprehensive reforms.
The reforms, PFAN insists, must ensure equal representation from all five NFF federating units across the Board, Congress, and sub-committees. The ongoing litigation over the electoral process has placed the 2026 elections in legal limbo, with contempt proceedings scheduled for 5 February 2026, at Federal High Court 4, Abuja.
Analysts warn that the outcome of these proceedings will determine not only the structure of the NFF leadership but also the broader trajectory of Nigerian football governance. Until reforms are implemented, the federation faces uncertainty over legitimacy, accountability, and inclusiveness.
