Nigerian Football
CLERGYMAN KUKAH, RIBADU TAKE FAIRPLAY CAMPAIGN TO NFF
The bar for fairplay in Nigerian football has been raised as former anti graft Czar, Nuhu Ribadu and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Mathew-Kukah have been dragged into football administration .
Ribadu was the pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud and money laundering.
He is the head of Ethics & Fairplay Committee of the NFF which on Wednesday announced the composition of its standing committees.
Ribadu will be assisted by Hassan Mathew-Kukah, who has been named the vice chairman of the committee which also has eight other members and a secretary.
According to a media release by the Communications Department, the NFF has now fully composed the membership of all its standing committees, dissolved two months ago.
The Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the committees were named a few days after the dissolution, but the members and secretaries have now been unveiled. They are:
- Finance Committee: Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Chairman); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Vice Chairman); Babagana Kalli (Member); Bello Seidu (Member); Auwalu Musa Umar (Member); Garba Mohammed (Member); Mohammed Nasir Saidu (Member); Nse Ubeh (Member); Christopher Iyere (Member); Victor Nwangwu (Member); David Atabo (Secretary)
- Internal Audit Committee:Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Chairman); Mohammed Alkali (Vice Chairman); Shariff Abdullahi (Member); Abubakar Ladan (Member); Yahuza Adamu (Member); Ayodeji Alabi (Member); Ezra Godit (Member); Ogheneochuko Ambakederemo (Member); Imama Tukur (Member); Isa Matori (Member); Suleiman Tegina (Secretary)
- Organizing Committee:Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman); Shehu Dikko (Vice Chairman); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member); Timothy Magaji (Member); Isah Umar Suleiman (Member); Haliru Alhassan Sumaila (Member); James Odeniran (Member); Tony Okowa (Member); Bashir Idris Ibrahim (Member); Ali Sani Umar (Member); Boma Iyaye (Member); Bebeto Udennaka (Member); Augustine Ogbu (Member); Bola Oyeyode (Secretary)
- Technical Committee: Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Chairman); Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Vice Chairman); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Garba Lawal (Member); Victor Ikpeba (Member); Isah Ladan Bosso (Member); Fanny Amun, MON (Member); Aminu Balele Kurfi (Member); Isaac Danladi (Member); Haruna Idris (Member); Mutiu Adepoju (Member); Ahmed Muazu Kawu (Member); Bitrus Bewarang (Secretary)
- Referees Committee: Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Chairman); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Vice Chairman); Tade Azeez (Member); Ahmed Maude (Member); Prince Elube (Member); Ephraim Chukwuemeka (Member); Dave Egho (Member); Salihu Abubakar (Member); Olorko Daniel (Member); Sunday Audu (Member); J.B.C Obikwelu (Member); Aminu Mamaga (Member); James Odeniran (Member); Linus Mba (Member); Sani Zubairu (Secretary)
- Legal Committee: Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman); Chris Green (Vice Chairman); Ibrahim Mukhtar (Member); Daniel Gwaza (Member); Grace Kundul Manswi (Member); Porbeni Ogun (Member); Bamidele Aluko (Member); Agbolade Dokunmu (Member); Andrew Bekederemo (Member); Tony Oka (Member); Okey Obi (Secretary)
- Women Football Committee: Ayo Omidiran (Chairman); Aisha Falode (Vice Chairman); Margaret Icheen (Member); Saadatu Kolo (Member); Mustapha Allah-Dey (Member); Ahmed Mukhtar (Member); Usman Abubakar Shaba (Member); Chisom Mbonu (Member); Nkechi Obi (Member); Eddington Kuejubola (Member); Hamza Baba (Member); Samuel Ahmadu (Member); Janefrances Nweze (Member); Emmanuel Zira (Member); Precious Dede (Member); Sunday Oyibe (Member); Thelma Agara (Member); Ruth David (Secretary)
- Youth Football Committee: Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman); Emmanuel Ibah (Vice Chairman); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Busari Ishola (Member); Aminu Mamaga (Member); Bello Yakubu ‘Rilisco’ (Member); Musa Talle (Member); Edema Fuludu (Member); Dotun Coker (Member); Kumbi Titiloye (Member); Esimaje Awani (Member); Bashir Baba Chilla (Member); Mohammed Maigidasama (Member); Bayo Olalenge (Member); Yahuza Maihaja (Member); Adewale Adeyinka (Secretary)
- Futsal & Beach Soccer Committee:Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Chairman); Samson Adamu (Vice Chairman); Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member); Hassan Abdullahi Garo (Member); Sonny Monidafe (Member); I. S. Maiyaki (Member); Abubakar Hassan (Member); Kabiru Baita (Member); Hamza Mohammed Elayo (Member); Sadiq Abubakar Yusuf (Member); Leslie Atake (Member); Mahmood Hadeija (Member); Sani Abdullahi (Member); Kingsley Uduh (Member); Musa Garba Santos (Member); Usman Umar Ladan (Member); Seni Saraki (Member); Obinna Ogba (Member); Sunday Okayi (Secretary)
- Sports Medicine Committee: Muazu Abdulkadir (Chairman); James Omietimi (Vice Chairman); Charles Omale (Member); Paul Onyeudo (Member); B. B. Shehu (Member); Tasiu Ibrahim (Member); Munir Hashim Yahuza (Member); Nekwu Okolugbo (Member); Babatunde Akinbinu (Member); Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Secretary)
- Players Status Committee:Chris Green (Chairman); Owoicho Adejo-Ogenu (Vice Chairman); Babagana Kalli (Member); Mohammed Alkali (Member); Taiwo Ogunjobi (Member); Dahiru Sadi (Member); Austin Popo (Member); Jude Anyadufu (Member); Rilwan Idris Malikawa (Member); Ibrahim Abdullahi Osanga (Member); Akin Akinbobola (Member); Joe Johnson (Member); Amobi Ezeaku (Member); Bello Abubakar (Member); Tobi Adepoju (Member); Umar Babangida ‘Little’ (Member); Larry Kubeinje (Member); Bello Garba Gusau (Member); Nasiru Jibril (Secretary)
- Ethics & Fairplay Committee: Nuhu Ribadu (Chairman); Hassan Mathew-Kukah (Vice Chairman); Felix Awogu (Member); Anas Gambo (Member); Haruna Isah Dederi (Member); Sule Shuaibu (Member); Mainasara Ilo (Member); J. C. Okoroji (Member); Rabiu Mohammad (Member); Shaw Fregene (Member); Joshua Onoja (Secretary)
- Media & Publicity Committee: Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Chairman); Aisha Falode (Vice Chairman); Honour Sirawoo (Member); Tony Ubani (Member); Ade Ojeikere (Member); Suleiman Isah (Member); Onyebuchi Ezigbo (Member); Frank Ilaboya (Member); Saidu Abubakar (Member); Gowon Akpodonor (Member); Calistus Ebare (Member); Fred Edoreh (Member); George Aluo (Member); Nneka Ikem (Member); Julius Ogunro (Member); Ademola Olajire (Secretary)
- Football Committee: Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman); Shehu Dikko (Vice Chairman); Chidi Ofo Okenwa (Member); Mohammed Alkali (Member); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Amanze Uchegbulam (Member); Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (Member); Kunle Soname (Member); Mohammed Zanna Mala (Member); Dominic Iorfa (Member); Paul Bassey (Member); Davidson Owumi (Member); Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim (Secretary)
- Strategic Studies Committee: Shehu Dikko (Chairman); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Member); Hussaini Shitu (Member); Alloy Chukwuemeka (Member); Samson Ebomhe (Member); Jimmy Omo-Agege (Member); Abdulsamad Badamasi (Member); Musa Garba Yakassai (Member); Maccido Garba (Member); Dapo Ajibade (Member); Enebi Achor (Secretary)
- Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee: Shehu Dikko (Chairman); Emeka Inyama (Vice Chairman); Yomi Idowu (Member); Farouk Yarma (Member); Colin Udoh (Member); Kashim Imam (Member); Timitayo Etomi (Member); Abimbola Ilo (Member); Ibrahim Danbatta (Member); Emmanuel Ibru (Member); Julius Rone (Member); Ade Adefeko (Member); Emuobosa Akpene (Member); Maurice Mbiam (Member); Akpobome Atuyota ‘Ali Baba’ (Member); Alizor Chuks (Secretary)
- Protocol & Ceremonial Committee: Musa Duhu (Chairman); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Vice Chairman); Ologbese Gbemi Cornelius (Member); Robert Akpendum (Member); Sabo Abdullahi Kofarmata (Member); Suleiman Ahmed Usara (Member); Zailani Ibrahim (Member); Bala Garba (Member); Barde Mohammed Zakar (Member); M. S. Danliti (Member); Esanye Awani (Member); Diewait Ikpechukwu (Member); Ayo Makun ‘AY’ (Member); Chinonye Daphey Aliyu (Member); Tunde Aderibigbe (Secretary)
- Security Committee: Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman); Osmond Atuake (Vice Chairman); Sabo Abdullahi Dutse (Member); Sunday Longbap (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Sani Mohammed (Member); Aminu Mohammed (Member); Simon Nanponlar (Member); Sajo Mohammed (Member); Chikelue Iloenyosi (Member); Gary Usman (Member); Emmanuel Nunu (Member); Ikechukwu Ibe (Member); Garba Mohammed (Member); Christian Emeruwa (Secretary)
ADHOC COMMITTEES
- Match Commissioners Appointment Committee: Babagana Kalli (Chairman); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Vice Chairman); Musa Duhu (Member); Yabagi Baba (Member); Sani Dahiru Yakassai (Member); Prince Mbaezue (Member); Emmanuel Ochiaga (Member); Manzo Mohammed (Member); Faith Irabor (Member); Dele Ogungbemi (Member); Bala Yaro (Member); Aminu Shuaibu Shantali (Member); Ahmed Muazu Kawu (Member); Gabriel Adetule (Member); Danlami Alanana (Secretary)
- Technical Study Group: Abba Yola (Chairman); Taribo West (Vice Chairman); Bernard Ogbe (Member); Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha (Member); Tijjani Babangida (Member); Victor Agali (Member); Tunde Adelakun (Member); Adegoke Adelabu (Member); James Peters (Member); Clement Nwankpa (Member); Ibikunle Solaja (Member); Yusuf Dauda (Member); Ubale Yusuf (Member); Sule Gwagwarja (Member); Godwin Enakhena (Member); Mike Idoko (Member); Chukwumah Ubah (Member); Bitrus Bewarang (Secretary)
Nigerian Football
Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament in Jeopardy as Middle East Tensions Escalate

By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.
An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.
The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.
The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.
The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.
The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.
The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.
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Nigerian Football
Bendel Insurance’s Big Statement, Rangers Rise as Leaders Slip In NPFL

Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.
Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.
The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.
Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.
In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.
Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.

Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United
Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.
Sunday Results
- Bayelsa United 1-0 Rivers United
- Bendel Insurance 4-0 Ikorodu City
- Enugu Rangers 2-0 Nasarawa United
- Enyimba 1-1 Kun Khalifat
- Niger Tornadoes 0-0 Warri Wolves
- Remo Stars 2-0 Katsina United
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
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Nigerian Football
NNL 2025/2026: Akwa United, Doma United Eye Swift Return to Nigeria Elite League

The race for promotion in the 2025/2026 season of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has gathered momentum, with relegated sides Akwa United and Doma United pushing strongly for an immediate return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Both former top-flight campaigners have shown resilience since dropping to the second tier last season. Akwa United currently lead Conference B with a game in hand, underlining their determination to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Doma United sit atop Conference C despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sokoto United on Matchday 11.
Southern Conference Delivers Drama
Matchday 11 in the Southern Conference produced thrilling encounters, further tightening the race for promotion.
In Conference A, two away wins, one home victory and a draw defined the round. The headline fixture between table-toppers Inter-Lagos FC and second-placed Beyond Limit FC ended in a goalless stalemate in Abeokuta. The result ensured Inter-Lagos maintained their grip on first place, though Beyond Limit remain firmly in contention.
Elsewhere, Smart City edged Edel FC 1-0, Gateway United secured a similar 1-0 win over Crown FC, while Sunshine Stars boosted their campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph over Abia Comets. The victories have intensified the competition in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought groups in the league.
Conference B: Akwa United Hold Firm
Conference B continues to heat up as teams battle for supremacy. Osun United claimed a crucial 1-0 away victory at Abakaliki FC, while Rovers FC defeated Stormers 1-0 in Calabar.
Despite the pressure from chasing teams, Akwa United remain firmly in control at the summit. With a game in hand, the Promise Keepers are well-positioned to strengthen their promotion bid in the coming weeks.
Conference C: Doma United Stay Ahead
In Conference C, Sokoto United handed leaders Doma United a 1-0 setback, but the defeat did little to dislodge them from the top. Doma remain on 19 points, narrowly ahead of FC Basira, who climbed to 18 points after a 2-0 win over Lobi Stars.
The slim margin between the top sides suggests a tense battle ahead, with every point likely to prove decisive in the quest for a top-two finish.
Conference D: Northern Battle Intensifies
Yobe Desert Stars moved temporarily to the summit of Conference D with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ranchers Bees, taking their tally to 15 points. Jigawa Golden Stars edged Adamawa United 1-0, while Gombe United and Kebbi United settled for a goalless draw.
Promotion Race Wide Open
With each conference producing unpredictable outcomes, the NNL promotion race remains delicately poised. For traditional heavyweights Akwa United and Doma United, the objective is clear: secure one of the coveted promotion spots and return to the Nigeria Elite League.
As the season progresses, the intensity is expected to rise further, with fans across the country watching closely to see which clubs will earn the right to rejoin Nigeria’s top-flight next season.
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