Football Reform: SWAN Seeks Stronger NFF Partnership After FIFA, CAF Engagement

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called for a stronger and more structured relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as stakeholders push for reforms in the administration and development of Nigerian football.

The call was made when the national leadership of SWAN paid a working visit to the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, where the association engaged the federation’s interim management led by Acting Secretary-General, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The meeting followed SWAN’s participation in a stakeholders’ engagement with a joint FIFA and CAF delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, during which the sports writers presented an 18-page position paper on the challenges confronting Nigerian football and possible pathways to institutional and administrative reforms.

The position paper, according to SWAN, addressed institutional and administrative reforms, stakeholder participation and the role of sports media in the development and governance of Nigerian football.

Speaking during the meeting, SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, said sports journalists should be recognised as active stakeholders in football administration rather than being treated merely as channels for disseminating information.

“The sports media should not be viewed merely as a channel for disseminating information, but as an important stakeholder in the development and administration of Nigerian football,” Benjamin said.

He reaffirmed SWAN’s readiness to work with the NFF and other stakeholders to promote accurate and timely information, public enlightenment, transparency and constructive dialogue around the development of the game.

Responding, NFF Acting Secretary-General, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, described SWAN as a critical stakeholder in Nigerian football and expressed the federation’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the association.

“The NFF values SWAN as a critical stakeholder in Nigerian football, and we are committed to strengthening our partnership with the association to promote better communication, accountability and sustainable development of the game,” Ikpeme said.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for both organisations to discuss practical areas of collaboration, including communication, information management, public enlightenment and stakeholder engagement.

SWAN said its participation in the ongoing reform discussions was aimed at promoting an inclusive approach to restructuring Nigerian football, with meaningful participation by relevant stakeholders and appropriate recognition of the sports media.

Benjamin said the association remained committed to constructive engagement with football authorities, stressing that professional journalism and meaningful dialogue could contribute to greater accountability and sustainable development of the sport.

He said SWAN would continue to provide a professional platform for dialogue and public discussion on issues affecting Nigerian football and its administration.