Seyi Makinde Advocates for Single 5–6 Year Term for NFF Presidency

Seyi Makinde Advocates for Single 5–6 Year Term for NFF Presidency

By Niyi Busari 

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for a constitutional amendment within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that would limit the NFF presidency to a single term of five to six years, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Governor Makinde made the proposal on Saturday in Ibadan while declaring open the NFF Annual General Assembly. One of the key items on the agenda of the assembly was the ongoing process to amend the federation's statutes, in line with FIFA directives.

In his remarks, Makinde emphasized the importance of leadership continuity and stability in Nigerian football, citing the seamless transition between former NFF President Amaju Pinnick and incumbent Ibrahim Gusau as a positive example.

 “There have always been controversies surrounding leadership transitions in the NFF,” he said. “However, the handover from Amaju Pinnick to Ibrahim Gusau was notably smooth. I believe this is partly because Pinnick had the opportunity to serve two full terms—something many of his predecessors did not enjoy.”

The governor argued that a single, non-renewable term of five to six years would allow NFF presidents to focus on long-term developmental goals without the distraction of seeking re-election.

 “For sustained progress in Nigerian football, I propose a single term of five or six years for the NFF presidency. This will enable the leadership to focus on grassroots football development, referee capacity-building, coaching education, and infrastructure improvement,” Makinde added.

Following the meeting, the NFF issued a communiqué affirming its commitment to the amendment process. The statement read: “The Congress acknowledged the progress made in implementing the FIFA-mandated amendments to the NFF statutes and assured that an Extraordinary General Assembly will be convened at the appropriate time to conclude the process.”

The proposed reforms are part of broader efforts to align the NFF’s governance structure with international best practices and enhance the credibility and efficiency of football administration in Nigeria.