Sports Writers Declare War on NFF Over Marginalization, Mismanagement

Sports Writers Declare War on NFF Over Marginalization, Mismanagement

By Admin 

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has issued a nationwide directive instructing its members to disengage from all activities of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), including the Federation's upcoming Annual General Assembly (AGA) scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The decision, announced in a statement jointly signed by SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, stems from what the association describes as the NFF’s continued and deliberate exclusion of sports media representatives from its Congress.

Labeling the exclusion as "unacceptable, retrogressive, and an affront to the sporting media," SWAN condemned the NFF's refusal to reintegrate the media into its statutory structure, despite repeated calls for inclusiveness.

 “The media is a critical tripod in the growth of sports globally. SWAN, as the professional body coordinating sports media in Nigeria, has consistently engaged the NFF leadership on the need to restore our rightful place within its Congress. Unfortunately, while claiming to expand its Congress, the Federation has chosen to sideline us, a move that is both short-sighted and detrimental to Nigerian football,” the statement read.

SWAN accused the NFF of employing “divisive and destructive approaches” in its management practices and said the leadership has remained unyielding to efforts aimed at promoting collaboration and transparency.

Citing the sustained decline in Nigerian football performance, despite significant government and private-sector investment—the association attributed the downturn to administrative inefficiencies within the Federation.

 "The continued decline of Nigerian football is a direct result of maladministration. It is time to put a decisive end to this dangerous trend. Nigeria cannot afford to watch its most cherished sport deteriorate under avoidable circumstances,” SWAN stated.

As part of its boycott directive, SWAN announced the formation of a task force to monitor compliance and enforce the decision across all states. The association also pledged to initiate investigative reporting to expose what it described as the “maladministration and backward practices” within the NFF, which it blames for recent failures, including Nigeria’s back-to-back misses in FIFA World Cup qualification.

“SWAN stands resolute in defending its role as a critical stakeholder in the nation’s football ecosystem. Excluding the sporting media from the top decision-making body of Nigerian football is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated,” the statement concluded.