President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a far-reaching reform of Nigerian football following the country's recent struggles on the international stage, including the failure of key national teams to secure qualification for major tournaments.

The directive comes amid growing concerns over the administration of the game and follows the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau and members of the federation's board on Thursday.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the time had come for a comprehensive restructuring of Nigerian football to address deep-rooted challenges that have continued to hinder progress despite the country's vast talent pool and passionate fan base.

According to the President, the reform process must tackle critical issues ranging from governance and administration to stakeholder representation, grassroots development, domestic competitions and accountability.

“Football remains Nigeria’s most popular sport and has enjoyed enormous public support, investment and national attention. Yet, the sector continues to underperform due to longstanding structural deficiencies,” Tinubu stated.

He stressed that Nigeria's football system must be repositioned to match the country's abundant talent, resources and global reputation in the sport.

The President noted that while other sporting disciplines have begun to witness significant improvements under the re-established National Sports Commission (NSC), football has remained plagued by persistent institutional and administrative shortcomings.

To drive the reform agenda, Tinubu directed the Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, to immediately engage with the NFF Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders to ensure stability in football administration during the transition period.

He further instructed the commission to lead an inclusive and consultative reform process involving football administrators, clubs, players, coaches, supporters and other key stakeholders across the country.

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The President emphasized that the exercise should be carried out in line with international football regulations and must involve constructive engagement with global football governing bodies, including FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Tinubu also appealed to stakeholders and football enthusiasts nationwide to support the reform efforts, describing the initiative as a crucial step toward rebuilding confidence in the nation's football system.

The reform directive comes against the backdrop of mounting criticism over the performance of Nigeria’s national teams in recent years.

The Super Eagles have missed qualification for two successive FIFA World Cup tournaments, a development many football analysts have described as unprecedented for a nation once regarded as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.

The situation worsened after the Super Falcons suffered a historic setback by failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending a long-standing record of participation on the global stage.

The twin disappointments have fueled widespread calls for a complete overhaul of football administration in Nigeria, with many stakeholders arguing that only deep institutional reforms can restore the country's lost glory and competitiveness.

With the NFF leadership now out of office and a government-backed reform process underway, attention is expected to shift to how quickly and effectively the proposed changes can be implemented to revive Nigerian football.