Nigeria’s sports sector may be entering a fresh chapter as Bayelsa Governor Diri applauds reforms and calls for transparency in football governance.
Governor Douye Diri has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for restructuring Nigeria’s sports administration, describing the shift from a ministry to a commission as a game-changer.
Speaking at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Extraordinary General Assembly in Yenagoa, Diri—represented by his deputy—said the new structure would bring sports governance closer to athletes and deliver better results.
He also commended efforts to revive the National Sports Institute and refurbish the Abuja National Stadium, noting that such moves signal renewed commitment to sports development.
Diri urged stakeholders to prioritise fairness, transparency, and integrity, stressing that the future of Nigerian football depends not just on talent, but strong governance.
The governor highlighted Bayelsa’s investment in sports infrastructure, including a 30,000-capacity FIFA-standard stadium under construction in Igbogene, aimed at nurturing talent and attracting global events.
Meanwhile, National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko called on stakeholders to embrace reforms and unity, while NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said the assembly was key to shaping the future of Nigerian football ahead of upcoming elections.
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