Every enduring structure begins with a solid foundation. Development must progress from the simple to the complex and from the grassroots to the national level. Nigerian football administration should follow this same principle.
For the Nigeria Football Federation to become truly representative, transparent and development-driven, its electoral process should begin at the Local Football Council level.
Local Football Councils are the foundation of football administration in Nigeria. They operate closest to the players, coaches, clubs, referees, academies and communities where young talents are discovered and developed. Those who administer football at this level understand the realities of the game beyond boardrooms and election periods.
A credible football-governance structure should therefore begin with well conducted elections at the Local Football Councils. Those elected at the local level should participate in building the State Football Associations. The State Football Associations should, in turn, produce the representatives who participate in electing the national leadership of the NFF.
The structure must bear this in mind:
Local Football Councils → State Football Associations → Nigeria Football Federation
This bottom-up arrangement would give Nigerian football leadership genuine legitimacy. It would ensure that administrators rise through practical service and measurable contributions rather than appearing only when national elections are approaching.
Beginning the process from the Local Football Councils would also widen participation. Grassroots clubs, coaches, referees, former players and other recognised football stakeholders would have a meaningful voice in determining those who administer the game.
It would further strengthen accountability. Administrators elected from the grassroots would remain connected to the people and institutions that gave them their mandates. They would be expected to report their activities, defend their records and demonstrate how their leadership has contributed to football development.
Nigeria must move away from an electoral system in which the struggle for positions receives more attention than the development of the game. Football governance should not be reduced to negotiations among a limited number of powerful interests. Leadership must emerge from a transparent and inclusive process that reflects the complete football structure.
For this system to succeed, elections at every level must be credible. There should be clear eligibility requirements, transparent voter registers, fixed tenures, independent electoral and appeal committees, published regulations and strict consequences for interference or manipulation.
The NFF must also establish a uniform national framework for Local Football Council and State Football Association elections. While local realities may differ, the fundamental principles of fairness, transparency, representation and accountability must remain consistent throughout the country.
Starting NFF elections from the Local Football Councils would produce several important benefits:
– It would give grassroots football stakeholders a genuine voice.
– It would encourage administrators to build experience progressively.
– It would strengthen the legitimacy of State Football Associations and the NFF.
– It would reduce the excessive concentration of power at the top.
– It would promote accountability at every level.
– It would connect football politics with actual football development.
– It would create a clear leadership pathway from the communities to the national level.
Nigeria cannot build a strong national football administration on weak or neglected local structures. If the foundation is defective, everything placed upon it will remain unstable.
The reform of Nigerian football governance must therefore begin at the bottom. We must first organise and strengthen the Local Football Councils, proceed to credible State Football Association elections and then conduct the NFF election.
That is how lasting institutions are built—from the foundation, from the simple to the complex, and from the grassroots to the national stage.
Bayo-lanlege Kehinde
Former Chairman,
EKFA
