Nigeria’s Football Reform Agenda Gets FIFA Boost, as NSC Chairman, Mallam Dikko Leads Delegation to Zurich

PRESS STATEMENT

Nigeria’s Football Reform Agenda Gets FIFA Boost, as NSC Chairman, Mallam Dikko Leads Delegation to Zurich

The lofty efforts to reposition Nigerian football have received a significant boost following high-level discussions between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), on Tuesday, at the headquarters of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland.

The meeting, which brought together the Nigerian delegation led by NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and the leadership of world football’s governing body, led by President, Gianni Infantino, focused on institutional, governance and developmental issues affecting Nigerian football, as well as opportunities to deepen ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and FIFA.

In a reflection of FIFA’s commitment to engage constructively with Nigeria’s reform process, Infantino said he was pleased to meet the delegation and described the discussions as an opportunity to align on a shared vision for the future of Nigerian football.

“I was pleased to sit down with a delegation from Nigeria, led by National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko, at the Home of FIFA in Zürich to hold important discussions and align on our vision for football in the country,” Infantino said.

The FIFA President said the discussions went beyond immediate football competitions, focusing on the institutional foundations required to create a stronger and more sustainable football ecosystem.

“We had a detailed talk on institutional, governance and developmental topics, as well as our ongoing collaborations,” he said.

“While stressing the need to create stronger structures and pathways to provide even more opportunities for the youth, we explored areas where FIFA can further support the growth of our beautiful game in this football-passionate country,” he said.

The comments are significant as the Nigeria continues to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening the administration, governance, development pathways and overall structure of Nigerian football.

Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who was present in Zurich, said the engagement demonstrates the Commission’s approach of working with international football institutions, and key national stakeholders to ensure that reforms are developed in line with global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s specific football development needs.

“For the NSC, the Zurich engagement represents another important step in the ongoing process of repositioning Nigerian football through stronger institutions, clearer development pathways, improved governance and greater opportunities for young Nigerians.”

The meeting also reinforces the Commission’s conviction that the current reform process is not about individuals, but about building a football system capable of delivering sustainable success both on and off the pitch.

With FIFA and other key stakeholders engaged in the process, the NSC remains committed to working toward a comprehensive and inclusive reform framework that will strengthen Nigerian football and unlock its enormous potential for athletes, administrators, young people and the wider Nigerian sports economy.

Led by Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko the Nigeria delegation, also included the DG, Hon. Bukola Olopade; Special Advisor to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee, Amaju Pinnick; NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme; NFF’s Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi Esq. other officials at the meeting are CAF 2nd Vice President Kurt-Okraku and FIFA’s Director of Member Associations (Africa), Gelson Fernandes.

SIGNED:

Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi FCAI, ANIPR
Director Information and PR
NSC
2nd September, 2026.