STOP THE NFF CHARADE NOW- Segun Odegbami, NiIssues Urgent Appeal to President Tinubu and All Nigerians
As football elections loom, a national hero raises the alarm: “The results have already been determined”
A Voice of Conscience Speaks Out
On March 22, 1998, Olusegun Odegbami stood in Abuja as the Minister of Sports officially decorated him with the title of “Sports Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”—an honor added to his previous national recognition as Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Today, 26 years later, that ambassador is speaking with a heavy heart.
“To be silent now means to fail the government, the people and the game of football itself,” Odegbami declares. “So, I am raising my voice again.”
A Legacy of Service
Odegbami’s relationship with Nigerian football began in 1973 when, as an undergraduate, he was invited to the Green Eagles from the National Sports Festival. Over 53 unbroken years, he has:
· Captained the national team and the Olympic contingent
· Served on the Nigerian Football Association board
· Chaired the Governing Council of the National Institute of Sports
· Managed athletes to Olympic Gold and Silver medals
· Established an NGO promoting sports and scholarship
· Led thousands of Nigerian student-athletes to universities in the USA and India
· Currently heads a special unit developing sports diplomacy policies for Nigeria’s foreign affairs
“I take both honours very seriously,” he states. “They are earned, the rewards for national duty through hard work, dedication, sacrifices, patriotism, discipline, and trophies.”
The Crisis at Hand
Next month, elections for the Nigerian Football Association board will take place—but Odegbami warns they are already a foregone conclusion.
“The elections have been sewn up already,” he declares. “The results determined even before a vote has been cast.”
His allegations are stark:
· Predetermined outcomes: “The winners of elections have already been determined by the same group of people in office now.”
· Excluded candidates: “Those to be deprived of the opportunity to even contest have been isolated and sent on a wild goose chase.”
· Hidden proceedings: “The elections will also be conducted away from any prying eyes to avoid any chances of transparency.”
· Corruption concerns: “Where bribery and corrupt practices can be conducted without consequence, far from the headquarters of the federation.”
The Legal Earthquake
Perhaps most explosive is Odegbami’s claim that “In law, the Nigerian Football Federation does not even exist!”
He points to a subsisting court judgment that has been ignored for almost eight years—a ruling requiring amendments to the federation’s structure that have never been implemented.
“In the next few days, I shall be taking documents that are currently used in the administration of Nigerian football to the Nigerian civil courts for interrogation and interpretation,” he announces.
The documents will address:
· The real power and roles of FIFA in Nigeria’s internal football affairs
· The status of State Football Associations
· Equity in unequal representation
· Government’s place as the biggest funder of football
· The justification for convoluted, politicized, expensive elections
The Cost of Silence
Odegbami paints a grim picture of Nigerian football’s decline:
“With all the talented footballers that the country parades all over the world, it is a sad commentary that at international level, achievements have reached a plateau, and even started to decline.”
He identifies the root cause as faulty administrative decisions dating back to the early 1990s—decisions that have now become entrenched, benefiting those who created them.
“The growth of our football industry has been stunted by faulty decisions taken more in ignorance than by any malicious intentions,” he explains. “These have grown, sustained and become the norm in our football, a monster that now needs the creators of it to rid it of its venom. They won’t do it because they are also the beneficiaries of the faulty architecture!”
A Call to Action
The Sports Ambassador makes his appeal directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to all Nigerians:
“These elections should be temporarily halted for Nigerian football to find its feet again!”
He warns that the National Sports Commission cannot act with their hands tied by FIFA’s “fictitious threats” that have no basis in any global statutes.
What Happens Next?
“In the next few weeks will be very interesting,” Odegbami promises.
As he prepares to take his case to the civil courts, one thing is clear: Nigeria’s football legend is not backing down.
“My experiences cannot be bought in the market place or discountenanced,” he states firmly. “My current works speak for themselves. My suggestions for the future should at least be given some attention.”
A Lifetime of Service, A Final Stand
Odegbami concludes by reflecting on the weight of his responsibilities—and his willingness to bear them:
“The time comes to test my judgement and character, a burden that I must carry even in the evening of my life. I find that there is really nothing for me to lose in standing by what I believe are the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!”
