Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, president of the Nigeria Football Federation, appointed new members to the boards overseeing the Nigeria National League (NNL), Nation-Wide League One (NLO), and the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), and gave each board’s chairperson responsibility for the upcoming domestic league season.

Ibrahim Gusau tasked the various league systems’ arms with developing workable plans and marketing strategies that will advance the domestic game as the 2023–24 League season draws near.

The Federation’s President stressed the need to capitalize on the new momentum witnessed in Nigeria Football during his remarks during the inauguration of the Boards held within the Conference Room at the NFF Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday afternoon.

NPL Club Owners Elect New Executive Committee Members

“I am indeed happy to be here performing this action this afternoon,” Gusau started with Rt. Hon. Nse Essien – Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme – the Deputy General Secretary, and Mr. Ademola Olajire – Director of Communications, to mention but a few notables, present at the event. 

“We are at a time and period when our domestic football is gaining fresh momentum, thanks to the impressive organization of the NPFL in the recently-concluded season, and also the color, razzmatazz, and positive vibes from the Super 6 of the NPFL, the NWFL and the NNL, and the pre-season Super 8 Tournament that ended in Lagos at the weekend. 

“We have picked men and women of high caliber, integrity, and drive so that we will have sustainable Leagues. We do not want a situation whereby a league will get to the middle of the season and be saying there is no longer money to run its programs. We believe we have, in the new boards, men and women who can turn things around.”

Gusau outlined his plan for taking the beautiful game of football from the amateur level to the professional level in his speech to the newly elected board members.

“The task of the new Boards of the different Leagues is to ensure that the momentum is not only sustained but greatly enhanced to take Nigeria domestic football to new heights of excellence.

“The NFF is determined that our football should be developed from the grassroots, with so much focus on young players, young referees, and young coaches. While we will put up the policies, the Boards of the Leagues will have to put in the energy and drive to implement these policies and generally improve a lot of the domestic game.

“Last year, the Federal Government promoted sports from the category of recreation to business. Football is therefore big business, and we must start to treat it as such. You all have the responsibility to develop workable marketing strategies and media plans to build viable products of the NNL, NWFL, and the NLO.”

Names of the newly constituted board members and their chairmen:

NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE: 

Mr. George Aluo – Chairman

Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki – Vice Chairman 

Mr. Yakubu Sarma – Member

Mallam Sani Mohammed – Member

Dr. Donald Ikpe – Member 

Chief Joseph Uzoma Ebowusim – Member 

Chief Dotun Sanusi – Member

Mr. Emmanuel Attah – CEO

NIGERIA NATIONWIDE LEAGUE ONE: 

Hon. Silas Agara – Chairman 

Mr. Adeoye Adepeju – Vice Chairman

Mallam Sabo Abdullahi Dutse – Member

Mr. Ogheneochuko Ambakaderemo – Member

Mr. Tunji Onatolu – Member 

Barr. Bucknor Akintade – Member

Alhaji Salisu Ibrahim – Member 

Mallam Hassan Abdullahi Garo – CEO

NIGERIA WOMEN FOOTBALL LEAGUE:  

Ms. Nkechi Nneka Obi – Chairman 

Hajiya Hussaina Suleman – Vice Chairman 

Alhaja Rukayat Lola Alaya – Member 

FIFA Hadiza Musa – Member 

Mr. Ayodele Thomas – Member 

Ms. Henrietta Ehiobor – Member 

Mr. Danny Nazzal – Member