I stumbled on an article written by Chimarobi Nzemorobi and decided to reproduce it unedited. A lot of people have been championing this issue and hopefully next week, I shall react to it alongside your reactions on the subject matter.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has once again exposed deep-rooted problems in the administration of football in the country. Amid growing public frustration, former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has openly expressed interest in taking up a leadership role within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)—but only in a corruption-free environment.
Mikel’s declaration has reignited the long-standing debate about whether Nigeria’s football should finally be entrusted to those who have lived, bled, and succeeded for the game—our ex-internationals. His stance not only carries weight but also represents a powerful case study for why former players should lead football reforms in Nigeria.
- They Understand Modern Football Better Than Career Administrators
Today’s football is driven by science, technology, professionalism, and long-term planning. Ex-internationals like Mikel have spent their lives in elite football environments—working with world-class coaches, fitness experts, scouts, and sports administrators.
Mikel’s career took him from Lyn Oslo to Chelsea, where he won: UEFA Champions League (2012, UEFA Europa League (2013), Two Premier League titles, Three FA Cups and AFCON 2013
Few Nigerian administrators understand the demands of modern football at this level. Mikel does. Ex-players can bring that experience into policy-making, talent development, and the management of the national teams.
- Credibility and Respect: They Command the Dressing Room and the Public.
One of the biggest problems plaguing Nigerian football is the lack of trust between players and administrators. Ex-internationals bridge this gap naturally.
Mikel captained the Super Eagles for years and is highly respected by current professionals at home and abroad. His presence at the helm of the NFF would restore confidence among active players, coaches, fans, sponsor, international partners. This kind of credibility cannot be bought—it is earned through sacrifice and service on the pitch.
- They Have a Stake in Protecting Nigerian Football
Many current administrators see football as a career opportunity, not a patriotic duty. Ex-internationals, however, understand the weight of the badge. They have lived through the pressure, victories, defeats, and expectations of over 200 million Nigerians. Mikel was part of Nigeria’s most successful periods in modern football, including: Winning AFCON 2013, leading Nigeria to the olympics bronze in 2016 and playing in two World Cups. By serving as a long-term midfield anchor for the national team, people like him have a natural desire to fix the system that made them who they are.
- They Bring Global Networks That Can Transform Nigerian Football
Mikel is connected to some of the most powerful figures in world football—from former teammates at Chelsea to global sports executives. Ex-internationals who played in Europe and Asia have relationships that can help Nigeria: secure better international friendlies, attract sponsorship deals, get development partnerships with top club, expose young Nigerian players to global opportunities and upgrade coaching and scouting structures ,this is the kind of influence administrators with no playing background simply cannot match.
- They Can Champion Accountability and Transparency
Mikel’s strongest condition—that he will only take up a role in a corruption-free environment—is a direct indictment of the current system. Nigeria’s football has suffered for decades due to: Mismanagement of funds, Poor planning, Interference in team selection, Lack of youth development, absence of long-term policy. Ex-internationals, having built careers in regulated and audited environments like the Premier League, are more inclined to demand transparency and enforce global best practices.
- They Can Inspire the Next Generation
When a legend like Mikel sits at the top of Nigerian football administration, it sends a strong message to the youth: “Football is a pathway worth pursuing, and the system will reward merit.”
Nigeria is overflowing with talent, but thousands never make it because of poor structures. Ex-players know the pain of that journey and are more likely to fix the scouting and development ecosystem from the grassroots.
Conclusion: A New Era Requires New Minds. Nigeria can no longer afford to recycle the same administrators while expecting different results.
The country needs leaders who have lived football at the highest level and understand what it takes to succeed there. John Obi Mikel represents the perfect example of what ex-internationals can offer: Experience, global exposure, credibility, leadership, professionalism, and a genuine desire to see Nigerian football thrive
If Nigeria is serious about competing globally again, then the future of the NFF and Nigerian football administration must involve ex-internationals—people like John Obi Mikel who has proven, on and off the pitch, that they can deliver excellence. The time has come for football to be returned to football people.
