By VICTOR OKOYE

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called for a comprehensive restructuring of Nigerian football governance.

SWAN said the current leadership vacuum presents an opportunity for a fundamental institutional reset rather than another temporary administrative adjustment.

The association made the demand in an 18-page position paper presented by its President, Isaiah Benjamin, to the joint FIFA/CAF Fact-Finding Mission.

The presentation took place in Abuja on Thusday, following the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and board members.

“Nigeria does not require another cosmetic adjustment to its football administration. Nigeria requires a reset,” Benjamin said.

He urged stakeholders to reconsider the governance architecture, from the grassroots to the NFF Executive Committee, to promote stability and accountability.

Benjamin warned that rushing into another election under existing structures could reproduce weaknesses that had repeatedly triggered governance disputes, leadership crisis, and transitional arrangements.

“The current leadership vacuum provides an opportunity to address the fundamental question of what governance framework Nigerian football requires,” Benjamin said.

He said such a framework should be democratic, accountable, commercially sustainable, development-oriented, and internationally competitive.

A major element of the submission was SWAN’s call to end what it described as the approximately 16-year exclusion of sports media from formal football governance structures.

He said the media remained an important source of institutional memory, public accountability, and stakeholder engagement within the football ecosystem.

Benjamin proposed structured media participation in stakeholder consultations, transitional or advisory arrangements, and statutory recognition of the sports media constituency.

He also called for representation in football governing bodies, where permitted by applicable laws and statutes.

“The sports media is not merely an external observer of football; it is a permanent part of the football ecosystem,” Benjamin said.

He added that the media remained an important vehicle for accountability, development, and commercial visibility.

“Representation must be meaningful, transparent and institutionalised, rather than dependent on informal access or patronage,” he said.

Beyond the NFF, Benjamin called for reforms across the football pyramid, urging State Football Associations to become genuine development institutions.

He also advocated stronger governance and licensing frameworks for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and youth football.

“Meaningful reform must extend beyond the NFF headquarters in Abuja to the grassroots, State Football Associations, leagues, and every major constituency,” Benjamin said.

SWAN’s proposed roadmap includes a national governance audit, comprehensive stakeholder mapping, and a FIFA/CAF-supported national football dialogue.

It also proposes statutory and electoral reforms, reviews of Congress and Electoral College representation, and appropriate transitional governance where necessary.

Other recommendations include a verified voters’ register, grassroots-to-national elections, independent supervision of NFF elections, and binding post-election reforms.

Benjamin anchored SWAN’s reform vision on inclusion, integrity, representation, accountability, and performance.

He urged FIFA and CAF to look beyond the immediate leadership vacuum and address the institutional foundations of Nigerian football.

“The objective should not simply be to restore an administrative structure and conduct another election,” he said.

He said the goal should be to create a governance system capable of delivering stability, accountability, development, and sustained international competitiveness.

“This crisis, while deeply concerning, also provides an opportunity for Nigerian football to undertake structural reforms that have remained elusive for years,” Benjamin said.

He added that the reforms would help return the game to good governance. (NAN)