The book of Matthew, 2:1-12, recounts how wise men from the East followed a star to find Jesus at his birth, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Bethlehem. Although their specific country of origin remains unclear, they are thought to have come from a region in present-day Middle Eastern nations.
Tomorrow, a new set of ‘wise men’ from FIFA are set to visit Nigeria—not to witness a miracle but to meet with disgruntled stakeholders unhappy with the current state of Nigerian football. The FIFA officials are travelling from their Zurich headquarters not with gifts but to offer guidance.
Their visit comes after the Nigerian government, via the National Sports Commission (NSC)—which oversees the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)—sought FIFA’s counsel on needed reforms. Stakeholders have long expressed concerns over how the football federation is managed, especially regarding financial transparency and the accountability of its leaders.
Among those likely to meet FIFA are former Green Eagles captain Segun Odegbami and passionate football advocate Godwin Dudu-orumen. Dudu-orumen recently raised the question, “Who owns Nigerian football?”, suggesting that those who truly built the game are left out of discussions controlled by individuals not directly involved in its development.
He argues that many in positions of power within football are political operators who have not invested in the sport but have managed to capture control for their own benefit. These individuals benefit from the legacy of past players and the infrastructure built with public funds, claiming ownership without having made meaningful contributions themselves.
Dudu-orumen insists that independence from political oversight doesn’t equate to freedom from legal responsibility or financial scrutiny. He questions what occurs when an organisation funded by public money claims autonomy from accountability. He adds that contrary to FIFA’s belief, the Nigerian football body relies heavily on government support, operating under two identities: as the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) in government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the international arena.
Odegbami, an advocate for NFF reform, also voiced concerns about Nigeria’s reliance on FIFA intervention, arguing that such calls have become a means for local officials to escape accountability. He reassured Nigerians that FIFA should not be feared, stating they are not “monsters” as portrayed by some in the NFF.
Both he and Dudu-orumen believe that resolving the current issues could be achieved within a month if stakeholders engage in open discussions to find common ground. They trust that FIFA’s involvement will ensure that electoral processes within the NFF adhere to correct procedures, as long as all parties are willing to compromise for the good of Nigerian football.
Ultimately, Odegbami hopes this will be the final instance that the officials of Nigerian football invite FIFA to intervene in domestic matters.
