Fifa president Gianni Infantino has described talks with a Nigerian delegation in Zurich as successful, with the discussions focusing on governance, institutional reform and the long-term development of football in the country.
Infantino met a delegation led by National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman Shehu Dikko at the Home of Fifa in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday. The meeting explored ways Nigeria and Fifa could deepen their existing collaboration while addressing the structures needed to strengthen Nigerian football.
The comments were contained in a release issued by the NSC director of information and public relations, Dr Keninde Amati.
Infantino said he was pleased to hold the meeting and presented it as an opportunity for Fifa and Nigerian officials to establish a common direction for the future of the sport.
“I was pleased to sit down with a delegation from Nigeria, led by National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich to hold important discussions and align on our vision for football in the country,” Infantino said.
The Fifa president said the conversation was not limited to immediate competitions. Instead, it also addressed the institutional foundations required to create a more stable and sustainable football system in Nigeria.
“We had a detailed talk on institutional, governance and developmental topics, as well as our ongoing collaborations,” he said.
“While stressing the need to create stronger structures and pathways to provide even more opportunities for the youth, we explored areas where FIFA can further support the growth of our beautiful game in this football-passionate country.
The meeting comes as the NSC continues efforts to reposition Nigerian football through changes aimed at improving governance, strengthening institutions and expanding development opportunities for young players.
NSC director general Bukola Olopade, who attended the talks, said the engagement reflected the commission’s intention to work with international football bodies and important stakeholders within Nigeria.
He said that approach would help ensure the country’s reforms followed global best practices while also responding to Nigeria’s own football development requirements.
“For the NSC, the Zurich engagement represents another important step in the ongoing process of repositioning Nigerian football through stronger institutions, clearer development pathways, improved governance and greater opportunities for young Nigerians.”
Among the other officials in the Nigerian delegation was Amaju Pinnick, special adviser to the CAF president and deputy chairman of the Fifa Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee.
NFF acting general secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and the Nigerian Football Federation’s director of legal services, Okey Obi, were also part of the group.
CAF second vice-president Kurt-Okraku and Gelson Fernandes, Fifa’s director of member associations for Africa, also attended the meeting.
The discussions therefore brought together senior figures from Nigeria’s football administration, the NSC, CAF and Fifa as the parties considered future cooperation and the wider reform process in Nigerian football.