By Monday Nas Ozoya
An excerpt from an article by Paul Lucky Okoku
Whenever former footballers seek leadership roles in Nigerian football, one argument quickly emerges:
βPlaying football does not qualify anyone to administer football.β –
That statement is correct. A successful playing career should not provide an automatic ticket to the presidency of the NFF or any other leadership position.
However, neither does being a businessman, politician, lawyer, journalist, or career football administrator automatically qualify anyone to lead.
Professional identity is not evidence of leadership competence.
Former players may understand dressing rooms, player welfare, international competition, and the consequences of administrative decisions. However, this experience must be supported by governance, financial management, strategic planning, and organisational leadership.
Non-players may possess strong business, legal or administrative experience. However, they must also demonstrate an understanding of football development, player welfare, safeguarding and the responsibilities of governing a national sport.
The standard must be the same for everyone.
Before any NFF election, candidates should be required to provide:
β’ verified qualifications and relevant experience
β’ evidence of organisations, finances and people successfully managed
β’ conflict-of-interest, integrity, and safeguarding declarations
β’ a public four-year manifesto containing measurable targets
β’ a commitment to annual performance reviews and public reporting
Candidates should explain how they will develop grassroots leagues, womenβs football, coaching, refereeing, facilities, player welfare, commercial revenue, and transparent governance.
Leadership should not be awarded because someone once wore football boots. Neither should it be awarded because someone has spent years within football politics.
The question is not:
βCan a former footballer lead?β
The real questions are:
What has each candidate managed?
What measurable results have they achieved?
Can they manage public and football resources responsibly?
Do they possess the integrity to protect the institution?
What will they deliver within four years?
How will Nigerians measure their performance?
Former players and non-players should compete under one transparent leadership standard.
The qualification should be competence.
The evidence should be performance.
The foundation should be integrity.
The final test should be accountability.
Who, based on these standards, is qualified to lead Nigerian football?
