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NFF President Gusau Pledges Reforms, Stable Calendar, and Player Welfare Overhaul in NWFL
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deep reforms in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), pledging to enforce a national wage structure, standard insurance policies, and stronger governance to protect players and grow professionalism.
Delivering the President’s address at the 2025 NWFL Annual General Meeting in Port Harcourt, NFF Executive Committee member and NWFL Chairperson, Aisha Falode, said Gusau described the Assembly as “an important gathering that brings together the heartbeat of women’s football in our great nation.”
According to him, “this assembly is not merely a formality on the football calendar. It is a defining moment of reflection, dialogue, and shared commitment to strengthen the future of the women’s game in Nigeria.”
He commended club administrators, players, coaches, match officials, and partners “who continue to make sacrifices to sustain and advance our women’s football ecosystem,” while expressing gratitude to “the government and good people of Rivers State for their gracious hospitality and unflinching support towards the development of sports particularly women’s football across the nation.”
Gusau, however, warned that the league faces serious challenges requiring collective solutions, pointing first to what he called “one major concern” — the inconsistent league calendar.
“Without a predictable and stable schedule, our league loses rhythm, commercial appeal, and competitive balance,” he said. “A professional league must operate within a structured framework that allows clubs to plan, sponsors to invest confidently and fans to engage continuously. Consistency is not a luxury. It is the lifeblood of professionalism.”
The NFF President also recounted poor infrastructure as a barrier to growth, citing venues “that still lack basic amenities required for high-quality competition.”
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He noted that “we must elevate our standards and move from merely staging matches to hosting football events that attract fans, engage communities and inspire young girls to believe in the game.”
On player welfare, Gusau said the Federation is fully committed to enforcing reforms.
“The Nigeria Football Federation under my leadership as the President of the Federation is fully committed to working with the NWFL and all relevant stakeholders to address these concerns comprehensively,” he said. “We will strengthen the governance and compliance framework to ensure that club licensing and national minimum wage structures are enforced uniformly and transparently.”
He revealed that “a national wage structure for all registered players in the league” would be institutionalized and “strictly monitored by the NFF compliance unit,” while “a standard insurance policy would be made compulsory for every player ensuring that no one career ends in despair due to injury or lack of medical support.”
“These are not just administrative shortcomings,” Gusau stressed. “They are moral things that diminish the dignity and integrity of the game.”
He called on clubs, administrators, and stakeholders to demonstrate professionalism, discipline, and accountability, insisting that success will depend on shared commitment.
“If we work together with unity and purpose, intention and strife for conviction, we will build a Nigeria Women Football League that not only nurtures world-class players but also stands as a model of professionalism, governance, and commercial success in Africa,” Gusau concluded. “Thank you and God bless you all. God bless the NWFL, NFF, and Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
