INFANTINO BACKS STRONGER STRUCTURE FOR FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA.

Ohis Asein

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has Charged Nigeria for Stronger Structure for football Development in Nigeria,Infantino who received a high-level Nigerian football delegation led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland, in a significant engagement on the future of Nigerian football.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, September 1, focused on institutional governance, football development, youth pathways and Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with FIFA, with both sides discussing ways to strengthen the structures needed to move the country’s football forward.

Infantino, in a message following the meeting, said he was pleased to sit down with the Nigerian delegation and described the discussions as an opportunity to align on a shared vision for football in Nigeria.

According to the FIFA President, particular attention was given to the need to create stronger structures and clearer pathways that will provide more opportunities for young Nigerians, while exploring areas where FIFA can offer additional support to the development of the game.

“We had a detailed talk on institutional, governance and developmental topics, as well as our ongoing collaborations,” Infantino stated.

The FIFA boss further expressed optimism about continued cooperation with Nigeria, describing the country as a football-passionate nation with enormous potential for growth.

The Nigerian delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, Acting NFF General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF Director of Legal Affairs Okey Obi, and former NFF President and former FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick, among others. CAF Second Vice President Kurt-Okraku and FIFA's Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, also participated in the engagement.

FIFA-Nigeria relationship enters crucial phase

The Zurich meeting comes at an important moment for Nigerian football, following recent leadership changes within the Nigeria Football Federation and the Federal Government's push for comprehensive reforms in football administration.

The discussions with FIFA therefore carry significant importance as Nigeria seeks to reposition its football administration, strengthen governance and build a more sustainable development pathway.

Reports from the meeting indicate that FIFA, CAF advisers, the NSC and NFF administration agreed to continue engagements towards fine-tuning a roadmap for reforms, with the objective of producing an inclusive, peaceful and stable football administration capable of delivering success both on and off the pitch

Infantino also used the opportunity to wish Nigeria's Falconets and Flamingos success at their respective FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women's World Cups, while thanking the Nigerian delegation for its ideas and positive approach towards working together to take Nigerian football forward.

For Nigeria, the message coming out of Zurich is clear: FIFA is prepared to engage, collaborate and support efforts aimed at building stronger football institutions and creating better opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian footballers.