The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has ordered its members nationwide to suspend coverage of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), including the Federation’s Annual General Assembly scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State.
The decision was announced on Wednesday in a joint statement signed by SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo. The association said the boycott follows what it described as the NFF’s “deliberate and persistent exclusion” of SWAN from its Congress, the body’s highest decision-making organ.
“The media is a critical tripod in the growth of sports globally. SWAN, as the professional body coordinating sports journalism in Nigeria, has consistently engaged with the NFF on the need to restore our rightful place in its Congress. Yet, while the Federation claims to be expanding its Congress, it continues to sideline us—a move that is both short-sighted and detrimental to Nigerian football,” the statement said.
The association accused the NFF leadership of adopting policies that undermine inclusivity in football administration, warning that the decline in the country’s football performance mirrors deeper governance challenges.
“Despite enormous financial and institutional support from the Federal Government, state governments, and private sponsors, Nigeria’s football continues to nosedive,” the statement continued. “It is time to put a decisive end to this dangerous trend. Nigeria cannot afford to watch its most cherished sport deteriorate under avoidable circumstances.”
SWAN directed all its members across the country to immediately halt coverage of NFF activities.
It added that a task force would be created to enforce the order and monitor compliance. The body also said it would launch an inquiry into the operations of the Federation.
“Simultaneously, the Association will begin a thorough investigation and public exposure of the maladministration and backward practices now synonymous with the Federation’s operations—practices that have contributed to Nigeria’s repeated World Cup qualification failures,” the statement noted.
Reaffirming its role in Nigerian football, the association said the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of sports journalism.
“The exclusion of SWAN from the NFF Congress is no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated. We stand resolute in defending the integrity and rightful role of the sporting media in the Nigerian football ecosystem,” the leadership declared.
