The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has kick-started activities leading to its 2026 leadership elections by naming Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as the venue for an Extraordinary General Assembly scheduled to hold on Monday. The meeting is expected to establish the committees that will supervise the electoral process.
In a communication issued on Sunday, the football body explained that the gathering will be used to constitute both the Election Committee and the Election Appeals body. It will also see the appointment of an external auditor who will be responsible for reviewing the federation’s financial and administrative processes to ensure transparency and adherence to regulations.
The NFF also confirmed that delegates from the global football authority, FIFA, as well as officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), have arrived in the country to observe the proceedings and confirm that the exercise follows internationally accepted electoral practices.
By tradition, the federation’s elections are organised every four years during its Annual General Assembly, which usually takes place in September. The next election is expected to be conducted during the 82nd edition of the assembly, although the host location has not yet been decided.
The current NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, came into office on September 30, 2022, after emerging victorious at the federation’s 78th Annual General Assembly held in Benin City, Edo State.
The special congress in Yenagoa is expected to bring together key football stakeholders from across Nigeria. Those expected include the leadership of the 36 state Football Associations and the FCT, members of the NFF board, administrative officials, representatives of domestic leagues, and delegates from the various football interest groups such as coaches, referees, and players.
The federation also announced that Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, is billed to officially declare the meeting open at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall located within the Government House. Other prominent figures expected at the event include the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s Director-General Bukola Olopade, Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Abdul Ningi, and House Committee on Sports Chairman Kabiru Amadu.
During the programme, Gusau is expected to give his opening speech before discussions begin. The main agenda of the session will include reviewing proposed changes to the NFF constitution, examining the electoral regulations, and considering adjustments to the rules guiding the General Assembly’s operations.
