Harrison Jalla Accuses Federal Government of Indifference Over NFF's Football Mismanagement
Former Nigerian international, Harrison Jalla, has expressed deep concern over what he describes as the Federal Government's indifference towards the severe mismanagement of football by the current board and principal staff of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Jalla, who chairs the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts, alleges that this negligence has led to significant failures in the country's football performance on the global stage.
Consecutive World Cup Failures Highlight Systemic Issues
Nigeria's absence from the FIFA World Cup for a second consecutive time underscores the gravity of the situation. The nation failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar and will also miss the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July. Under the leadership of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, this failure marks a troubling trend, with principal staff also implicated in the unsuccessful bids for the last two championships.
Beyond the World Cup, stakeholders have accused the NFF of failing to qualify the men's football team for the last two Olympic football tournaments in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. This is particularly disheartening given Nigeria's proud history in Olympic football, including a gold medal in 1996, silver in 2008, and bronze in 2016.
Jalla Calls for Resignation and Government Action
Jalla has accused the current NFF board of failing in its duties and demanded their resignation. He stated, "By now, a serious government should have dissolved the Ibrahim Gusau-led board and proceeded with its prosecution, including that of the previous board. The NFF electoral process is subjudice, and we shall follow the judicial process to its logical conclusion."
He further emphasized, "You cannot take our football down the same route as in the last 12 years, during which we missed out on two World Cups back-to-back. Yet, these same individuals have the effrontery to continue on the same path instead of resigning en masse from the NFF Board."
Threat of Self-Help and Legal Challenges
In a message to The Guardian, Jalla warned, "You have failed Nigerians, and we will not allow this trend to continue. If necessary, we shall apply self-help if the relevant government agencies fail to act to forestall a breakdown of law and order." He specifically referenced a recent event in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, calling it a "charade" and questioning how long the NFF, driven by state football association chairmen, can continue to operate independently.
Jalla praised the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, for his speech, stating, "Nigerian football is a critical national asset, and those who have held it in the past by hook and crook should understand that that era is over." He accused FA chairmen of manipulating processes in Bayelsa to retain control, asserting, "The game is over. As critical stakeholders, we will not allow our football to be run in this old-fashioned way any longer."
Legal and Public Pressure Mounts
Highlighting legal backing, Jalla noted that the Court of Appeal has set aside the election of September 30, 2022, describing the current leadership as "charlatans" who "cannot continue to ruin Nigerian football in lawlessness." He criticized the group as "comfortable in failure, settled in mediocrity, and unbothered about growth," vowing to remain in the trenches until Nigerian football is salvaged.
Jalla concluded that Nigerian football deserves to be in capable hands that can encourage federal government and private sector support, saving Nigerians from the trauma of poor national team performances due to incompetent leadership and corruption. He dismissed the decisions made in Bayelsa as inconsequential, stating they "cannot stand."
