Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has expressed deep concerns over the current state of affairs within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), urging the government to intervene if the federation fails to address its ongoing issues.
Mikel Obi, known for his candid opinions on Nigerian football, did not mince words in his criticism. He highlighted multiple instances where he had to step in due to what he described as the negligence and questionable practices of those at the helm of the NFF.
According to Mikel, the leadership of the NFF is plagued by poor decision-making and a lack of proper support for the national teams, which has become a recurring issue. He questioned the qualifications of those in key positions, suggesting that their incompetence is evident in the way they manage the federation’s affairs.
Speaking on his podcast, “Obi-One,” Mikel stated, “The Nigerian Football Federation must ensure that capable individuals are in charge. Unfortunately, many of those currently in power seem to lack any meaningful understanding of football, having secured their positions merely through elections.”
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Mikel further accused the NFF of misappropriating funds allocated by the government, leaving only a small percentage for the actual development and maintenance of football activities. “They release perhaps 10% of the funds, while the rest is shared among themselves,” he alleged. “As a result, players suffer due to inadequate facilities, poor travel arrangements, and subpar accommodations.”
He stressed the importance of rooting out corruption within the NFF, saying, “We need to ensure that corruption is eradicated, no question about it.”
Despite FIFA’s rules against government involvement in football administration, Mikel argued that intervention is necessary to protect Nigerian football from further decline. “While FIFA prohibits government interference, the situation demands it. If the current officials cannot perform their duties effectively, then steps must be taken to replace them. People who truly understand the significance of representing the country should be in charge, not those looking to enrich themselves.”
