Former Super Eagles caAustin Okocha has called for a major restructuring of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, saying new and capable individuals should be brought into the administration to add value to Nigerian football.
Speaking on Brila FM on Tuesday morning, the former Bolton Wanderers midfielder expressed concern that any intervention would have limited impact if recommendations from such a body were not implemented.
He said the recurring failure to act on recommendations had made it difficult for experienced football personalities to commit themselves to football administration.
Okocha said he could not simply respond to calls for him to get involved without considering whether he would have the necessary support and structure to make meaningful changes.
He said football administration required more than one individual, stressing that leaders needed a competent team that shared the same vision and objectives.
According to him, the important questions should be whether the people involved would be on the same page and whether they could work together effectively.
The former Super Eagles star also recalled his brief experience in football administration in Delta State. He said he contested and secured a chairmanship position but eventually stepped away after observing the situation and concluding that the environment was not conducive to achieving his objectives.
“I tried it a bit. I went to Delta State. I took the chairmanship position, but when I saw what was going on, I left. It’s not worth it,” Okocha said.
He, however, acknowledged that former players and other stakeholders could no longer afford to remain silent about the state of Nigerian football.
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Okocha said Nigerians would continue to expect former football stars and other experienced stakeholders to contribute to solving the problems affecting the sport.
The former midfielder expressed frustration over Nigeria’s current football situation, particularly the country’s absence from major international competitions.
He noted that the upcoming Women’s World Cup would take place without Nigeria, meaning the Super Falcons would not be participating.
According to him, the absence of Nigeria from major international competitions affects the visibility of the country’s football and makes it difficult for its past achievements to remain relevant.
He said Nigeria should instead be leveraging the strong foundation built by its national teams in Europe and other parts of the world.
Okocha argued that the challenges confronting Nigerian football were not impossible to solve and could be addressed through better administration and the right personnel. “These things can be fixed, and that’s the annoying part because it’s not rocket science,” he said.
Okocha called for the appointment of people capable of bringing fresh ideas, expertise and value to the administration of Nigerian football.
He stressed that rebuilding the game would require collective effort rather than relying on a single individual. “Just put the good stuff in. Get people that can add value. And I believe that we all have a role to play,” he said.
His comments come amid growing calls for reforms in Nigerian football administration following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and concerns over the performance of the country’s national teams.
Okocha’s position adds to the growing debate over the need for structural changes within the NFF and greater involvement of experienced former players and football professionals in the administration of the sport.
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