Foremost sports journalist and President of the Guild of Sports Editors, Tony Ubani, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership, citing a persistent decline in the performance of the nation’s football teams.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Sportsville program, Ubani highlighted the growing consensus among stakeholders and the public that fundamental changes are necessary to restore the sport’s foundation. He emphasized that the demand for reform goes beyond a simple change in administration, focusing instead on empowering individuals with deep systemic expertise and technical knowledge to govern the sport effectively.
Referring to the classic Latin maxim vox populi, vox Dei, Ubani noted that public frustration reflects measurable statistical declines across national team performances.
“If there is anything that unites Nigeria, that thing is football. They can toy with politics, they can toy with the economy, but leave our sports alone to triumph. The voice of the people is the voice of God, and the wisest leaders must listen when the public demands change. Gusau must listen to the voice of the people, resign and save Nigerian football,” Ubani said.
While acknowledging personal regard for current NFF leadership, he maintained that national sporting interests must supersede personal relationships and regional considerations. Ubani stressed that football remains a vital unifying force across Nigeria, urging administrators to align with public sentiment to rebuild governance structures across all levels of the game.
