Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Sani Abdullahi Lulu has declined to endorse a reform proposal submitted by former NFF officials to a visiting FIFA and CAF governance assessment delegation in Abuja. Lulu expressed concerns over the process used to prepare the document, citing a lack of proper consultation and insufficient opportunity to study the recommendations. He also questioned the absence of former NFF president Ibrahim Gusau and former secretary-general Mohammed Sanusi from the discussions.
Lulu's decision is linked to the recent resignations of Gusau and Sanusi, who stepped down from their positions on August 27. Lulu said he had expected them to be part of the meeting involving former NFF administrators, allowing him to seek explanations directly from the former NFF leadership about their departures. He emphasized that FIFA and CAF should first establish the reasons behind Gusau's resignation before considering any proposal for a Normalisation Committee to oversee the federation.
According to Lulu, he was initially informed that former federation officials would hold a meeting to agree on a common position before meeting the FIFA and CAF delegation. However, he alleged that the arrangement changed without his involvement, and he only learned that the group had already met and reached a decision. Lulu claimed he was later sent only the final page of the document, which had already been signed by most participants.
A former NFF secretary-general who attended the meeting disputed Lulu's account, stating that he had been briefed about the document and given opportunities to review it and make contributions. The former official alleged that the joint position paper was sent to Lulu on September 11 and again on September 13 for his perusal and possible input. He also claimed that Lulu initially indicated he would sign the document after presenting his views to the FIFA and CAF delegation but subsequently declined to endorse it.
The position paper reportedly proposed the establishment of a six-month Normalisation Committee to oversee reforms in Nigerian football before fresh elections. It also called for changes to the NFF Congress and increased representation for leagues, players, coaches, referees, and grassroots stakeholders. Lulu maintained that his concern was not about personal disagreements but about the procedure followed in producing the document.
Lulu rejected suggestions that his refusal to sign the document was motivated by an ambition to return to the NFF presidency. He stated that he was no longer interested in holding the position and that his objection was strictly based on the process adopted by the former administrators. Lulu also expressed a preference for the document to be presented to National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko for discussion before considering whether to endorse it.
Lulu's position has added to the differing views emerging among former NFF officials as FIFA and CAF continue consultations on the leadership situation and possible reforms in Nigerian football. The former NFF president recalled his own experience as NFF president, resisting pressure from government officials to resign and later challenging an attempted removal from office through the courts. His concerns have raised questions about the legitimacy of the reform proposal and the way forward for Nigerian football.
Key points
- Lulu rejects reform proposal over process concerns
- Former NFF president questions absence of Gusau and Sanusi from discussions
- Lulu denies ambition to return to NFF presidency
