SWAN Mourns Former NFF President Ibrahim Galadima, Hails His Lasting Legacy in Nigerian Football

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Galadima, following a prolonged illness.

Galadima, who served as Chairman of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) from 2002 to 2006, was widely regarded as a transformative figure in Nigerian football administration. He handed over leadership to Sani Lulu in 2006 after completing his tenure.

In a statement issued on Saturday, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin, through the Association’s Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo, described Galadima as a visionary leader and “administrator per excellence” whose contributions left a lasting imprint on the nation’s sporting landscape.

“I received the news of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima with shock and deep sadness,” Benjamin said. “He is one man I have known and admired personally over the years due to his sagacity and benevolent approach. He will be well remembered for his immense impact on Nigerian football and sports generally.”

He further praised Galadima’s character, noting his generosity and dedication to service. “He was a man with a heart of gold who seized every opportunity to make meaningful contributions, earning him admiration as a sports administrator of the highest order. He also stood out as a respected community leader in Kano.”

SWAN extended its condolences to the late administrator’s family, the people of Kano State, and the broader sports community. “On behalf of the entire sporting media, we pray that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus, while giving his loved ones the strength to bear this great loss,” the statement added.

According to family sources, Galadima will be laid to rest on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in accordance with Islamic rites. His funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano by 10 a.m.

Widely respected as one of the most influential figures in Nigerian sports administration, Galadima’s legacy is expected to endure for years to come.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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