As Nigerians look forward to wide-ranging reforms at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the country’s five major supporters’ clubs, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC); the Super Eagles Supporters Club (SESC); Football Fans Club of Nigeria (FFCN); All Sports Supporters Club (ASSC); and the Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club (NESC), are demanding formal recognition as key stakeholders in the governance of the game.

In a statement issued by the five presidents of the clubs at the end of a meeting held at the National Stadium, Lagos, yesterday, the five clubs demanded not to be seen as “mere spectators.”

The statement, signed by Vincent Okumagba (SESC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea (NFSC), Kemi Ogunfuwa (FFCN), Johnson Dagana (ASSC) and Sunny Gukong (NESC), commended President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for what they described as “laudable ongoing reform” aimed at repositioning Nigerian football for better performance.”

“We sincerely appreciate the laudable ongoing reform in Nigeria football administration,” the communique stated. “The presidents of various Supporters Clubs in Nigeria, along with their members, fully align with the ongoing reform and call on all relevant stakeholders to join and ensure the success of the ongoing reforms.”

The Supporters Clubs also called for the review of the NFF Statute to clearly define and protect the place, rights, and representation of Supporters Clubs, just as they demanded the restoration of the legitimate representation of Supporters Clubs in the NFF Electoral Congress.

“Any Football Reform must be broad-based, consultative, and involve all recognised stakeholders, including Supporters Clubs,” the presidents resolved, insisting that Supporters Clubs should be formally recognised as “an essential component of Nigeria Football development.”

To back their words with action in line with the Federal Government’s reform agenda, the meeting resolved to restructure Supporters Clubs for better coordination. To that effect, they set up two committees, including a four-man Constitution Drafting Committee comprising Gwan Gilbert, Segun Ogunmola, Awo Aregbesola Wasiu and Col. Olumiyiwa Michael. The committee was inaugurated and given one month to draft and submit a constitution.

An Electoral Committee, made up of Phillemon Adekanda, Adu Adetunji, Famous Flint Agara Tekuma, Dibi Yinkore and Adedina Omotayo Gabriel, was also set up with a three-month mandate to conduct a credible, free, and fair election in the first week of December 2026.

The group pledged their full support for every genuine football reform and called on all stakeholders to embrace the reforms for the maximum performance of all national teams.

“We support every genuine Football reform and call on all stakeholders to embrace the reforms,” the communique concluded.