The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally inaugurated a six-member Fact-finding Committee tasked with investigating the recent poor performances of the country’s national football teams, particularly the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, inaugurated the committee on Monday and charged its members to approach the assignment with honesty, diligence and a strong sense of national responsibility.
The committee was constituted last Friday following the Super Falcons’ failure to secure a place at next year’s Women’s World Cup. Its broader mandate is to identify the factors behind Nigeria’s declining results in international football and recommend practical measures to reverse the situation.
Gusau urged the committee to examine both immediate and underlying factors responsible for the national teams’ recent struggles.
“You are expected to investigate the causes of the poor performances of our national teams, with particular attention to the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the World Cup,” Gusau said.
He gave the committee two weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report, expressing confidence in the experience of its members, many of whom have played significant roles in Nigerian football.
Chairman of the committee, Ambassador Fanny Ikhayere Amun, MON, assured the NFF that the panel would carry out the assignment thoroughly and objectively.
Amun said the committee would engage individuals directly connected to the issues under investigation and also consider memoranda from members of the public and other stakeholders in Nigerian football.
He stressed that the assignment would be treated as a national responsibility, adding that the committee would strive to produce a report capable of addressing the problems confronting the country’s football system.
The committee includes former Super Falcons captain and four-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner Desire Oparanozie; former Super Eagles captain and ex-AFCON medalist Mutiu Adepoju; former Nigeria U-20 coach and President of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Ladan Bosso; and former FIFA referee and ex-Head of Management Studies at the National Institute for Sports, Dr Alex Mana.
Former Nigeria international and Deputy Director in the NFF Technical Department, Nasiru Jibril, will serve as secretary.
Also present at the inauguration were National Institute for Sports Director-General/CEO, Comrade Philip Shaibu; NFF Director of Media and Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire; Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi; Director of Finance and Administration, Rajan Zaka; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Director of Protocol, Barnabas Joro; and Director of Member Associations and Special Duties, Ali Abubakar Muhammad.
The committee’s findings are expected to provide the NFF with a clearer understanding of the challenges affecting Nigeria’s national teams and recommendations for improving the country’s football fortunes.
