The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially released the Guidelines and Rules governing the conduct of its 2026 elections, paving the way for the emergence of a new Executive Committee that will oversee Nigerian football for the 2026–2030 cycle.
The publication of the electoral framework follows months of anticipation after the NFF Extraordinary General Assembly held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on 23 March 2026, where delegates unanimously approved amendments to the federation’s Statutes, Electoral Code, and Standing Orders of the General Assembly.
According to the federation, the reforms are aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and governance within the country’s football administration while aligning the electoral process with evolving best practices and the governance principles expected by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The revised Electoral Code establishes a 12-member electoral structure, with two nominees selected from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and subsequently ratified by Congress. The nominees were constituted into two independent bodies—the Electoral Committee and the Electoral Appeals Committee.
The Electoral Committee is responsible for organizing, conducting, and supervising the elections, while the Electoral Appeals Committee will hear and determine complaints, petitions, and appeals arising from the electoral process.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barrister Matthew Burkala, was confirmed as Chairman of the Electoral Committee.
The zonal representatives are:
– North Central: Emmanuel Dada Obafemi
– North East: Alhaji Babagoni Grema and Barrister Benjamin Sak
– North West: Bature Musa and Professor Abdulmalik Awwal
– South East: Hon. Justice C. J. Aneke and Arinze Azubuike Anughere, Esq.
– South West: Hon. (Dr.) Akogun Olugbenga Omole and Abayomi Akin Omoyimi, Esq.
– South South: Ayibaye Peter Great Temedie, Esq., and Ayi Ekpo Ukpayam
Both the Electoral Committee and the Electoral Appeals Committee have since been formally inaugurated ahead of the commencement of the election timetable.
The statutory amendments adopted in Yenagoa received the backing of the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, who described the reforms as timely and necessary. Dikko noted that the previous electoral framework, introduced in 2010, had become outdated and no longer reflected modern governance standards required for sports administration.
The release of the guidelines is expected to provide greater clarity for prospective candidates, member associations, and other stakeholders as preparations intensify for the federation’s elective congress.
The NFF elections will determine the leadership responsible for steering Nigerian football over the next four years, including oversight of the men’s and women’s national teams, domestic competitions, grassroots football development, technical programmes, referee development, and relationships with international football bodies.
The publication of the guidelines is also expected to address concerns previously raised by stakeholders over limited public access to the amended Statutes and Electoral Code following their approval in March. While Congress had ratified the reforms, the documents were not immediately made available, prompting calls for greater transparency regarding the rules that would govern the electoral process.
The electoral guidelines released in the public domain includes; the official election timetable, nomination procedures, eligibility requirements, and key deadlines that will shape the contest for positions on the NFF Executive Committee.
According to BSNSport the 2026 elections are widely regarded as one of the federation’s most significant in recent years, as the incoming leadership will be tasked with consolidating governance reforms, improving domestic football structures, strengthening commercial partnerships, and maintaining Nigeria’s competitiveness across continental and global competitions.
