The Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts (ANFRC) has rejected the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) recent amendments to its statutes, describing them as cosmetic and unacceptable.

The NFF, on Monday, approved changes to its statutes and electoral framework, and fixed September 26 for its elective congress.

The decisions were taken during an Extraordinary General Assembly held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

At the meeting, the Congress unanimously endorsed revisions to the NFF Statutes (March 2026 Edition), Electoral Code, and Standing Orders, aimed at strengthening governance and transparency.

It also ratified a 12-member Electoral Committee and Appeals Committee, drawn from the six geopolitical zones, to be inaugurated on March 25 in Abuja.

However, ANFRC Chairman, Harrison Jalla, said on Tuesday that the resolutions reached in Yenagoa could not stand, alleging manipulation by State Football Association chairmen.

Jalla commended the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, for what he described as a “brilliant intervention”, stressing that Nigerian football remained a critical national asset.

He accused certain football administrators of attempting to retain control through alleged vote allocation and the expansion of congress membership, warning that stakeholders would resist such practices.

“We reject these amendments in their entirety. Nigerian football cannot continue to be run in an outdated and self-serving manner,” he said.

Jalla added that stakeholders would continue to challenge the process publicly until the relevant authorities intervened to ensure transparency and accountability.

He criticised the NFF leadership over past performances, noting that Nigeria had missed two consecutive FIFA World Cups within the last 12 years.

“Those responsible for these failures should apologise to Nigerians and step aside instead of sustaining the same system,” he said.

He warned that continued inaction by authorities could trigger broader discontent among stakeholders, insisting that urgent reforms were necessary.

Jalla also referenced a Court of Appeal judgment which set aside the September 30, 2022 NFF election, questioning the legitimacy of the current leadership’s decisions.

“The law must prevail. We cannot allow impunity and mediocrity to define the future of Nigerian football,” he said.

He maintained that the decisions taken in Bayelsa were inconsequential and would not be recognised by reform advocates.

Jalla called for credible leadership capable of attracting both government and private-sector support to reposition Nigerian football.

“Nigerians deserve better results and a transparent system free from corruption and incompetence,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to take decisive action, including dissolving the current board and allowing due judicial processes to run their course.

“The integrity of our football must be restored. We will pursue all lawful means to ensure this happens,” Jalla added.