Sports
NFF Mum On Corruption Claims By Senate
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will not comment on remarks made within the Senate which labelled it the country’s ‘most corrupt government agency’.
Recently, the President of the Senate, David Mark, said the corruption within the NFF was responsible for the Super Eagles’ dwindling fortunes.
“The NFF is the centre of corruption in the country, there is no running away from the fact,” said Mark.
Meanwhile, he said the NFF it does not comment on matters debated by Senate.
“We have failed woefully,” said Mark, who presides over the Senate.
“Corruption is not just financial corruption alone, even the way the players were brought in is another form of corruption.”
“There is confusion and the government must put its foot down to get it right.”
In a statement which may further worry supporters, Mark suggested that there may be a need for the government to pull Nigeria out of international football to allow for reconstruction.
Millions of Nigerians reacted with extreme anger when President Goodluck Jonathan suspended the Super Eagles for two years in June 2010 following their poor World Cup showing.
The decision was taken to ‘enable Nigeria to reorganise its football’, even if Jonathan lifted the ban after world governing body Fifa said it infringed its rules barring governmental intervention in football.
However, Mark has raised the issue of disbanding the country’s football team once again – with two-time African champions Nigeria having failed to qualify for this year’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
“That Fifa says we cannot touch the NFF does not mean we cannot disband football … for many years so as to get it right,” he said.
Senator Aduma Gumba, who moved the motion in the senate, added: “The Senate is concerned with the sorry state of Nigerian football, the game that unites all Nigerians together in spite of her diversity.
“Nigerian football over the years has continued to slide despite the huge resources the Federal Government is investing in the game.”
Another senator, Heineken Lokpobiri, said corruption is the bane of football in Nigeria as he slammed the NFF’s ‘inexcusable’ inability to account for both Fifa and governmental funding.
“The level of maladministration in Nigerian football today is too high. We have a crop of very incompetent leaders managing our football today,” Lokpobiri told the house.
“There is no way we can make progress with this crop of leaders. There is no organisation in Nigeria that is as corrupt as NFA.
“Nigeria got $8 million for participating in World Cup and another $5.5 million for participating in a junior World Cup. I have been asking for the money without any answer.”
When concluding its debate on the motion last week, the senate resolved to hold a public hearing to address the problems in sport.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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