Juwon Oshaniwa Blasts NFF Leadership Over Alleged Decline of Domestic League

Posted : 09 April 2026

Former Nigerian international Juwon Oshaniwa has launched a scathing critique of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation board. The 2013 AFCON winner dismissed recent claims of progress within the national football setup. He argued instead that the sport has suffered a significant decline over the last four years.

Oshaniwa pointed directly to the current state of the domestic league as the primary evidence of administrative failure. He suggested that the Nigeria Premier Football League and the lower divisions have faced reduced visibility and structural decay. The former defender believes the lack of a competitive domestic system is a clear sign that the current leadership has lost its way.

The former Hearts of Midlothian left-back emphasized that a thriving local league is the essential foundation for any successful footballing nation. He warned that Nigeria is falling behind other African countries in terms of organization and grassroots investment. According to Oshaniwa, the gap between Nigeria and its continental rivals is widening due to poor developmental strategies.

His comments serve as a direct rebuttal to other former players, such as Mutiu Adepoju, who recently urged critics to offer solutions rather than complaints. Oshaniwa maintains that being blunt about the current situation is necessary for genuine reform. He stressed that while the Super Eagles often mask deep-rooted issues, the domestic game reflects the true health of the system.

The timing of these remarks adds significant pressure to the NFF board as stakeholders demand more transparency and better results. Oshaniwa argued that the federation must prioritize structural improvements over short-term fixes. He noted that without a strong foundation at the local level, the national teams will eventually suffer from a lack of quality talent.

The debate over the NFF's performance remains a heated topic within the Nigerian sports community. While the board points to qualification milestones and sponsorship deals as successes, critics like Oshaniwa insist that the reality on the ground tells a different story. He concluded that the current trajectory will have long-term negative consequences for the country’s footballing future.

Juwon Oshaniwa Blasts NFF Leadership Over Alleged Decline of Domestic League

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