Nigerians Are Married To Football But NFF Must Behave Well – Buhari Tells FIFA President

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration will pay keen interest to accountability and transparency to fast-track football development in the country.

While he played host to the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, and the Secretary-General, Fatma Samuora, at State House in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, said his administration will pay keen interest to accountability and transparency to fast-track football development in the country.

 

President Buhari who challenged football administrators to fashion out strategic programmes to develop the game, pledged Nigeria’s support to FIFA president’s reform agenda, noting that they were similar to those his presidency had outlined to resuscitate Nigeria.

 

"Majority of Nigerians are married to football. In the rural areas, when there is no electricity and there is a game to watch, Nigerians go to the extent of renting small generators, popularly known as ‘I better-pass-my neighbour’ to watch the game.

"We will take the development of football very seriously and I encourage the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to behave itself and organise effective competitions for the good of the game," Buhari said.

 

President Buhari welcomed Infantino’s programme to reform the world game through transparency, anti-corruption and good governance.

"Accountability is serious business and I welcome you (Infantino) into the club of accountable Chief Executive Officers," the President said.

 

In his remarks, Infantino asked the Nigerian authorities to pay attention to infrastructure and find a lasting solution to the problem of violence and insecurity at match venues.

"I foresee Nigeria as a bedrock for the development of the game in Africa, however infrastructure, stability and security are needed to make this happen," he said.