The Nigerian Senate, through its Committee on Sports, has expressed dismay over the dismal performances of Nigeria’s national football teams, particularly the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ non-qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Senate Committee consequently held an emergency meeting with the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
The meeting, presided over by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), was held in Abuja.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting, Senator Ningi said it was convened at the prompting of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“I have the authority of the Senate President on this very important meeting, who recently asked me, Senator Ningi, what is happening in sports, what is happening in football?”
He explained that the meeting was a prelude to the briefing he would present to the Senate when it reconvenes next month on the state of sports, particularly football in Nigeria.
“This meeting was a preamble to the explanation I will offer the Senate when it reconvenes next month on the state of sports, and in particular football in Nigeria today, and the steps being taken to reposition it for better results,” he said.
According to Senator Ningi, the meeting emphasised the need for the NSC and NFF to close ranks and work together to improve the performance of Nigerian teams on the international stage.
“I called them to close ranks, because as it is today, they are wide apart. They are heading for a meeting probably in the Villa. So, for now, it’s a work in progress,” he said.
The lawmaker said the meeting was also aimed at determining the factors responsible for the recent poor performances of Nigeria’s football teams despite the motivational support provided by President Bola Tinubu to players and officials.
“Recall, in a very long time, the government never compensated sportsmen and women, but the President, in his magnanimity, dished out $100,000 each to players and officials. What more will you need from a nation that is battling with the lives of over 220 million Nigerians?” he asked.
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Senator Ningi added that the Federal Government had also significantly increased funding for the sports sector.
“I thought the President has done all that he could in motivating them. And also, as the Chairman of the Senate Committee, I’ve seen that the President has almost quadrupled the budget of the sports ministry.
“Then what other motivation does a player or official need? We were all pained when we couldn’t be in the World Cup in the United States and further pained by the failure of the Super Falcons to make it to Brazil next year,” he lamented.
On calls by some football enthusiasts for the dissolution or disbandment of the NFF, Senator Ningi said the Senate and other stakeholders would ensure that any action taken was in accordance with Nigerian law and the statutes of FIFA.
“My concern is that whatever action we must take, we must do it within the limits of the law. We must look at our laws, and we must also look at the FIFA statutes,” he said.
