BY KINGSLEY EMMANUEL
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has ordered the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and other domestic leagues to hand over the administration of their competitions to interim officials, just hours after the NPFL secured a $7.5 million title sponsorship deal with EUROMATCH.
The directive follows the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee on Thursday.
The NSC has endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the former Deputy General Secretary, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as Acting General Secretary, while the former Director of Media and Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, will serve as Acting Deputy General Secretary.
The Commission has also suspended all processes leading to the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 27, with a fresh electoral process to commence after the completion of proposed comprehensive reforms.
According to the directive, the Chairmen, appointed Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the NPFL, Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One are to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers, who are NFF staff.
Where a league’s COO is not an NFF staff member, the Acting General Secretary is expected to deploy a new COO from within the Federation.
The NSC said the measures are aimed at ensuring continuity in the administration of Nigerian football while consultations continue with FIFA, CAF, the Federal Government and other stakeholders on a roadmap for comprehensive reforms.
The development comes barely 48 hours after the Gbenga Elegbeleye-led NPFL secured a landmark $7.5 million title sponsorship agreement with EUROMATCH, with NPFL clubs reportedly set to receive 60 percent of the annual proceeds from the deal.
The timing of the NSC’s directive has therefore raised questions over the future of the NPFL’s new commercial agreement and the league’s administration as Nigerian football enters another period of transition.
The NSC said further directives and changes will be communicated in due course.
