…Holds emergency meeting with Dikko, Gusau
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate Committee on Sports on Wednesday expressed concern over the declining fortunes of Nigeria’s national football teams, holding an emergency meeting with the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
The meeting, chaired by Abdul Ningi, focused on the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ inability to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Ningi said the session was convened at the instance of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who had expressed concern over the state of sports, particularly football, in the country.
“I have the authority of the Senate President on this very important meeting, who recently asked me that, ‘Senator Ningi, what is happening in sports, what is happening in football?’”
He said the meeting was part of efforts to obtain explanations on the recent poor performances of the national teams ahead of a broader briefing he would present to the Senate when it resumes next month.
Ningi said the meeting also stressed the need for the NSC and NFF to resolve their differences and work together in the interest of Nigerian football.
“I called them to close ranks, that is, the Nigerian Football Federation and the National Sports Commission because as it is today, they are wide apart.”
According to him, the two institutions were already making efforts to bridge the gap, adding that discussions were still ongoing. He added that the committee was concerned that Nigerian football teams had continued to struggle despite what he described as significant motivation and financial support from the Federal Government.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu had rewarded players and officials with $100,000 each, while the budget for the sports ministry had also been substantially increased.
“I thought the President has done all that he could in motivating them. And also, as the chairman of the Senate committee, I’ve also seen that the President has almost quadrupled the budget of the sports ministry.”
Ningi said Nigerians were particularly disappointed by the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the Super Falcons’ subsequent failure to secure a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
“We were all pained when we couldn’t be in the World Cup in the United States and further pained by the failure of Super Falcons to make it to Brazil next year,” he lamented.
He also addressed calls by some football enthusiasts for the disbandment of the NFF, saying the Senate would ensure that any intervention complied with Nigerian law and the statutes of world football governing body, FIFA.
“My concern is that whatever action we must do, we must do it within the limits of the law. We must look at our laws, and we must also look at the FIFA statutes,” he said.
Ningi said the committee would continue its engagement with the relevant stakeholders as it seeks solutions to the challenges confronting Nigerian football.
(The Sun)
