The Nigeria Football Federation has removed the leadership of Nigeria’s domestic leagues, just days after the NPFL secured a $7.5 million title sponsorship deal with EUROMATCH.
The NFF ordered the chairmen, directors and chief executive officers of the NPFL, NNL, NWFL and NLO to hand over their duties. Their Chief Operating Officers will now oversee the leagues on an interim basis, while the federation will appoint new COOs where the current officers do not work for the NFF.
The decision affects NPFL chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye and Chief Executive Officer Davidson Owumi. It comes shortly after the NPFL announced its three-year deal with EUROMATCH, worth $7.5 million, or $2.5 million per season, in a major commercial boost for Nigerian football.
The shake-up also comes as Nigerian football enters a wider reform process. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau resigned alongside members of his board on Thursday following growing pressure over Nigeria’s recent international failures. President Bola Tinubu has since called for comprehensive reforms across Nigerian football.
The NFF says the interim arrangement will ensure continuity during the transition. The federation will engage FIFA, CAF, the government and other stakeholders as it develops a roadmap for the proposed reforms.
The federation added that it will announce further changes and directives in due course.
