Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins proposed Seyi Tinubu as a suitable NFF president candidate, urging younger leadership in football administration.
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Martins discussed the current leadership crisis in Nigerian football and argued that the next NFF president should be a young person who understands the modern game and can connect with the expectations of Nigerians.
“We need a young person as the president of the NFF who understands the game. I think Seyi Tinubu can do that too.
He’s young and understands what Nigerians want,” Martins said.
The former Inter Milan forward acknowledged that Tinubu is not the president of Nigeria, but suggested that his age and understanding of the country’s expectations could make him capable of contributing to a change in the administration of Nigerian football.
Martins’ comments come as the NFF undergoes a major leadership transition.
Ibrahim Gusau resigned as president on August 27, with NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the federation’s Executive Committee also stepping down, ending Gusau’s administration following months of criticism over the state of Nigerian football.
Gusau’s departure followed a difficult period for the country’s national teams.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons also suffered a major setback by failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s failure to secure a place at the women’s tournament ended the country’s record of appearing at every edition of the competition since its inception in 1991.
The results intensified criticism of the country’s football administration and increased calls for changes within the NFF.
The Federal Government has also announced plans for comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football, with the focus expected to include governance, administration, development, domestic competitions and accountability.
Martins did not suggest that Tinubu had been appointed or formally nominated for the NFF presidency. Rather, he presented him as someone who, in his opinion, could potentially bring a different perspective to the administration of the sport.
Tinubu is not primarily known as a football administrator, and his potential involvement would attract attention because of his position as the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, Martins’ comments should not be interpreted as confirmation that Tinubu is seeking the NFF presidency or that the Federal Government has selected him for the position.
The NFF had previously been preparing for an elective congress scheduled to hold in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on September 27.
However, the resignation of Gusau and other members of the Executive Committee has created uncertainty over the federation’s leadership structure and the next stage of its electoral process.
With the leadership vacuum coming at a time when Nigerian football is facing calls for major reforms, the eventual successor to Gusau will inherit significant challenges.
The next administration will be expected to address concerns surrounding the national teams, grassroots development, domestic competitions, football financing and the overall administration of the sport.
For Martins, however, the solution should begin with a change in generation.
His suggestion of Seyi Tinubu has now added another dimension to the debate over who should lead Nigerian football, even though there is no official indication that Tinubu will contest for the position.
Source: THEWILL NEWS MEDIA