By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria’s efforts to reform and reposition its football administration have received a boost following high-level discussions between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in Zurich, Switzerland.
The meeting, held on Tuesday at the FIFA headquarters, brought together the Nigerian delegation led by NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, alongside other officials.
Discussions focused on institutional reforms, governance, football development and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between Nigeria and FIFA.
Infantino, who expressed his pleasure at receiving the Nigerian delegation, said the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to align on a shared vision for the future of football in Nigeria.
The FIFA president said the discussions went beyond immediate competitions to address the institutional foundations required to build a stronger and more sustainable football ecosystem in the country.
He said the parties discussed “institutional, governance and developmental topics,” as well as ongoing collaborations, while stressing the need for stronger structures and development pathways that would create more opportunities for young Nigerians.
Infantino also said FIFA explored areas where it could provide further support for the growth of football in Nigeria, describing the country as a football-passionate nation.
The engagement comes as the NSC pursues reforms aimed at strengthening the administration and governance of Nigerian football, improving development pathways and creating a more effective and sustainable football structure.
NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, who was also part of the delegation, said the meeting reflected the Commission’s commitment to working with international football institutions and national stakeholders to ensure that reforms conform with global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s specific development needs.
According to Olopade, the Zurich engagement represented another important step towards repositioning Nigerian football through stronger institutions, clearer development pathways, improved governance and greater opportunities for young Nigerians.
He stressed that the reform process was not about individuals but about building a football system capable of delivering sustainable success both on and off the pitch.
The NSC said with FIFA and other stakeholders involved in the process, it remained committed to developing a comprehensive and inclusive reform framework that would strengthen Nigerian football and unlock its potential for players, administrators, young people and the wider sports economy.
The Nigerian delegation included NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko; Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade; Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee, Amaju Pinnick; NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme; and NFF Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi, Esq.
Also present were CAF Second Vice President, Kurt-Okraku, and FIFA Director of Member Associations (Africa), Gelson Fernandes.
