President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following the country’s repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and global tournaments.

The President said the reform was necessary to address longstanding weaknesses in the administration and development of the sport, while ensuring that Nigeria’s football system becomes accountable, representative and capable of delivering sustained success.

Tinubu, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the exercise would focus on governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.

According to him, football remains Nigeria’s most popular sport and the biggest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, yet the country has continued to underperform because of structural deficiencies within the system.

“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” the President said.

Tinubu noted that other sports had recorded meaningful progress following the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, but said football had yet to overcome the institutional challenges affecting its performance.

He stressed that the country’s abundant football talent, passion and resources must be matched by stronger institutions and a sustainable system capable of translating those advantages into consistent results.

As part of the reform process, the President directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to collaborate with the Nigeria Football Federation Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to maintain continuity in essential football administration.

He also ordered that the reform process be broad-based and consultative, with stakeholders given an opportunity to contribute to the restructuring of the sport.

The process, according to the President, will also involve appropriate engagement with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), while ensuring that Nigeria continues to meet its obligations under the international football framework.

Tinubu called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition, expressing the need for collective efforts to build a stronger, transparent and successful football system.

The directive comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s inconsistent performances and failures to secure qualification for major competitions despite the country’s deep pool of football talent and significant public interest in the sport.

The President said the objective of the reform was to close the gap between Nigeria’s football potential and its actual achievements on the domestic and international stages.