The All Nigerian Football Players Union has thrown its full support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sports reform agenda, particularly the ongoing restructuring of football and the wider sports ecosystem under the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The union made its position known during a press conference at Ngwo Park in Enugu, where former Nigerian football players and stakeholders rallied support for the Federal Government’s renewed approach to sports administration.
The players’ union also commended NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for what it described as a focused effort to reposition Nigerian football, strengthen its structures and place the country on a stronger footing internationally.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Secretary-General Olisa Onuchukwu said the football community must embrace reforms capable of giving players, coaches, administrators and former internationals a stronger and more sustainable system.
“Nigerian football has never lacked talent; what we have needed is a stronger system to properly manage that talent. The reforms under President Tinubu and the leadership of Shehu Dikko give football stakeholders fresh hope that we can build a structure that works for the player, protects the professional and restores Nigeria’s rightful place among the leading football nations.”
Onuchukwu stressed that former players have an important role to play in shaping the future of Nigerian football, insisting that their experience must be incorporated into the development of the game.
The union said the restructuring of the football ecosystem should prioritise player welfare, grassroots development, professional administration, stronger competitions and better post-career support for former players.
It also urged football stakeholders to support the NSC’s reform programme while contributing constructively to the process of rebuilding Nigerian football.
Among those present at the Enugu gathering were Mike Ogbuodudu, Chuka Odukwe, Emma Osuji, Ifeanyi Azobu, Olisa Onuchukwu, Obinna Onyia, Joseph Nwafor, Boniface Adinde, Emeka Nwobodo, Ifeanyi Mazeli, Patrick Nworie and Okechukwu Nnamani.
