The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is calling for immediate inclusion in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Normalisation Committee expected to take charge after the wholesale resignation of the federation’s president, Executive Committee and Secretary-General.
The request was included in a 16-point communiqué released after SWAN’s Triennial National Delegates Congress, which took place in Kaduna from August 26 to 29, 2026. Representatives from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory also sought the reinstatement of the association’s seats on the NFF Electoral College and Executive Committee, saying this would strengthen openness and accountability in the running of the country’s football.
SWAN Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo signed the communiqué, which identified several major shortcomings affecting Nigeria’s sports administration. The association urged the Federal Government to constitute without further delay the legally required 17-member Governing Board of the National Sports Commission (NSC), which has not been active despite the commission’s establishment two years ago. SWAN said a functioning board would be essential to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s football reform programme, including implementation of the 10-Year Football Development Plan prepared by the committee led by the late Ibrahim Galadima.
Delegates also raised serious alarm about the state of women’s football, pointing to the Super Falcons’ unprecedented absence from the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They called for a thorough restructuring of the women’s game, with reforms covering grassroots development, the training of coaches and the organisation of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
The congress further highlighted problems surrounding media access at major domestic sporting events. Delegates referred to the accreditation breakdown during the Ogun 2024 National Sports Festival as evidence that sports journalists need to be engaged at the planning stage. SWAN therefore asked to be represented on the Main Organising Committees and Local Organising Committees for future competitions, including the Lagos 2026 Intermediate Games and the Enugu 2026 National Sports Festival.
Alongside its criticism, the congress recognised positive developments in Nigerian sport. It commended the NSC for the country’s showing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and celebrated the Women’s Beach Volleyball team’s qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. SWAN also thanked the Kaduna State Government for hosting the gathering and improving sports facilities in the region, particularly the expansion of Ahmadu Bello Stadium to a capacity of 33,000. The association additionally gave formal backing to the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ decision to restore SWAN to its National Executive Council.
