Yemi Idowu Says Nigeria Already Has Blueprint to Rebuild Football

Posted : 01 September 2026

Nigeria already has a framework for rebuilding its football system, according to Yemi Idowu, a member of the 10-year Football Development Masterplan Committee established by the former Muhammadu Buhari administration. Idowu believes the recent exit of the Nigeria Football Federation leadership provides an opportunity for the country to reset its football structure.

The committee was inaugurated in 2021 with a mandate to develop a 10-year plan for Nigerian football. Idowu served as vice president of the committee, which later presented its recommendations to President Buhari at the State House in Abuja.

Speaking ahead of the closing ceremony of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation Summer Camp in Ajegunle, Lagos, Idowu said Nigeria must avoid repeating the mistakes that contributed to the current crisis. He also urged stakeholders to acknowledge the contributions of the outgoing NFF leadership instead of turning the transition into a witch-hunt.

Idowu said the country must focus on investment and ensure that funding produces measurable improvements across the football system. He argued that the government has invested heavily in sports since 2023, making it necessary for stakeholders to ensure those resources translate into sustainable development.

The football development advocate believes the most important change must begin at the grassroots. His proposed structure would see functional local competitions provide the foundation for stronger state football, which would then improve regional competitions and eventually strengthen the national teams.

Idowu also highlighted the problems affecting Nigeria's youth development system. He questioned how the country can expect success at the African U-17 level when there is no consistent national U-17 competition feeding into the national team structure.

He criticised the practice of assembling young players in Abuja for short training camps before major tournaments. According to him, Nigeria cannot expect players to compete effectively against countries where young footballers train and compete regularly on proper pitches throughout the year.

The comments come after another difficult period for Nigerian football, with the country's national teams facing major setbacks. The NFF leadership crisis has also increased calls for structural changes in football administration and development.

Idowu said reform should not stop with grassroots competitions. He also called for a professional standard in the selection of future NFF leaders, arguing that football administration requires people with relevant knowledge and experience of the game.

He further rejected the idea of choosing football leaders primarily through geopolitical considerations. Idowu said the NFF should be managed by the most capable people available, regardless of their region, because the technical nature of football administration should not be politicised.

His position comes as Nigerian football enters a period of transition following the resignation of Ibrahim Gusau and other NFF board members. The changes have created an opportunity for stakeholders to revisit the country's football development model and consider whether the recommendations of the 10-year masterplan can finally be implemented.

Yemi Idowu Says Nigeria Already Has Blueprint to Rebuild Football

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