The Civil Society Network for Good Governance a conglomeration of over 87 CSOs in Nigeria has commended the Nigeria Football Federation NFF), under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau as president and Dr. Sanusi Mohammed ad General Secretary, for the successes recorded by the national teams in recent times. Speaking at a Press Conference in Abuja on the state of Nigerian football following the conclusion of Nations Cup Qualifiers, the National President of the Network, Barr Adefila Kamal commended the NFF leadership for “restoring excitement and pride of fans who support the national teams”.

The group also commended the Leadership of NFF for “steadying the ship of Nigerian football and saving it from shipwreck at a time of uncertainties when the hawks and vultures were gathering to feast on the carcass of the game in Nigeria”. Barr Adefila noted that football has often suffered from home brewed sabotage where disgruntled elements that have overstayed their usefulness in the football family begin to cast aspersions on those giving of their time, energy and ideas in a less than ideal system”.

The Network also noted that “these elements have cost Nigerian football a lot in terms of confidence of potential partners and sponsors, all for personal ambitions devoid of valuable ideas to grow the game in Nigeria for the good of Nigerians”. Barr Adefila urged Nigerians to always put national interest above personal ambition, arguing that “many of our unemployment issues can be solved by a thriving Nigerian football industry, which can only come about if we all sail in the same direction rather than destroying the integrity of football administration in the country”.

The group commended President Tinubu for appointing a Sports Minister who “understands the enormity of the task of sports development and has set the right tone with his early statements on assumption of office”. Barr Adefila enjoined the Honourable minister of sports to provide maximum support to the NFF to prosecute their responsibilities in national interest while providing the backing of government for more sponsors to key into the business opportunities that the game holds in what he described as “Africa’s biggest potential football market”. The Civil Society Network assured Nigerians that they will continue to hold all accountable to ensure the growth of football and sports in general in Nigeria.