By Nwamulu Namma in Abuja
The Senate has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s recent football setbacks, as both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons failed to qualify for upcoming FIFA World Cups.
At an emergency meeting on Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Sports met with NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau. Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the committee, presided over the session.
Ningi told reporters that the meeting followed a directive from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. “He asked me, ‘Senator Ningi, what is happening in sports, what is happening in football?’” Ningi revealed.
He explained that the meeting was preparatory to a comprehensive report he will present to the Senate next month on the state of sports in the country, with focus on football.
A major outcome of the meeting was the call for closer collaboration between the NSC and NFF. Ningi said the two bodies are currently “wide apart” and need to align for Nigeria to succeed internationally. “They are heading for a meeting probably in the Villa. So, for now, it’s work in progress,” he added.
The senator said the committee sought to understand why Nigerian teams are underperforming despite increased government support. He recalled that President Tinubu had approved $100,000 each for players and officials as compensation, something he noted had not happened in a long time.
Ningi also pointed out that the sports ministry’s budget has been “almost quadrupled” under the current administration. “Then what other motivation does a player or officials need?” he asked.
He expressed personal pain over Nigeria missing the 2026 World Cup in the United States and the Super Falcons failing to qualify for the 2027 tournament in Brazil. “We were all pained,” he said.
On calls by some football enthusiasts for the NFF to be disbanded, Ningi urged caution. He said the Senate would work with stakeholders to ensure any decision complies with Nigerian law and FIFA statutes.
“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 concluded.
