Nigeria Football Crisis: Senate Summons NFF, NSC Chiefs After World Cup Failures

Nigeria’s football crisis has reached the National Assembly, with the Senate Committee on Sports holding an emergency meeting with top officials of the country’s football and sports administration.

The committee met on Wednesday with National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Musa Gusau in Abuja following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ subsequent failure to secure a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi, who said it was convened at the request of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ningi said Akpabio had demanded an explanation for the poor state of Nigerian sports, particularly football.

“I have the authority of the Senate President on this very important meeting. He recently asked me, ‘Senator Ningi, what is happening in sports, what is happening in football?’” Ningi said.

A major concern raised during the meeting was the strained relationship between the NSC and NFF. Ningi urged both organisations to resolve their differences and work together, warning that the division between the two bodies could undermine efforts to revive Nigerian football.

The senator also questioned why Nigeria’s national teams have struggled despite increased government support. He noted that President Bola Tinubu had provided financial incentives to players and officials and had significantly increased funding for the sports sector.

Ningi said the Super Eagles’ failure to reach the 2026 World Cup was particularly painful, while the Super Falcons’ absence from the 2027 Women’s World Cup had added to the concerns. He said the Senate would examine the wider structure of Nigerian football rather than focus only on individual failures.

There have also been calls from some football stakeholders for the NFF to be disbanded or restructured. Ningi, however, said any decision by the Senate must comply with Nigerian law and FIFA regulations.

The Senate Committee on Sports is expected to present its findings when the National Assembly resumes next month. The committee says the goal is to identify practical reforms that can restore stability, accountability and competitiveness to Nigerian football.