Odegbami, Soname Lead Race to Replace Gusau as NFF President

The race to replace Ibrahim Gusau as President of the Nigeria Football Federation has intensified following his resignation, with several prominent figures emerging as possible successors or members of a proposed interim normalisation committee.

Among the names being discussed are Kunle Soname, Mike Emenalo, Amaju Pinnick, Seyi Olofinjana, Chikelue Iloenyosi and Segun Odegbami.

Kunle Soname

The founder of Bet9ja and owner of Nigeria Premier Football League champions Remo Stars is being touted by sections of the football community as a potential frontrunner.

Soname has invested heavily in Nigerian football and also owns Portuguese club Clube Desportivo Feirense, Beyond Limits and Remo Stars Ladies.

Remo Stars won their first NPFL title in the 2024/25 season under his ownership. His supporters point to his record of private investment and football infrastructure, although he has no previous experience running a national football federation.

Mike Emenalo

Former Super Eagles defender Mike Emenalo brings extensive international football administration experience.

He spent 10 years at Chelsea, rising from chief scout to technical director, before becoming sporting director at AS Monaco. In July 2023, he became the first director of football of the Saudi Pro League, leaving the position in June 2026.

His experience at major European and Middle Eastern football organisations makes him an attractive candidate, although he has never previously held a senior administrative position within Nigerian football.

Amaju Pinnick

Amaju Pinnick, who served as NFF president from 2014 to 2022, has also been linked with the leadership transition.

Pinnick previously said he had no interest in returning to the presidency, despite maintaining that he was still capable of serving.

His tenure included Nigeria’s second-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, but the Super Eagles also failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Pinnick subsequently lost his FIFA Council seat by one vote in 2025.

Seyi Olofinjana

Former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is another name being considered.

Olofinjana has held several football administration roles in Europe, including positions with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grasshoppers Zurich. He most recently served as Chelsea’s talent management lead for Africa.

He also runs Imperial FC in Lagos, which has been involved in developing Nigerian talents, including Taiwo Awoniyi.

His supporters highlight his combination of European football experience and grassroots involvement in Nigerian player development.

Chikelue Iloenyosi

Former Super Eagles defender Chikelue Iloenyosi is also in the conversation.

He currently chairs the Anambra State Football Association and was re-elected unopposed in 2026. He is also Board of Trustees chairman of the All Nigeria Football Players Union.

Iloenyosi has declared for the NFF South-East board seat and has received political backing in Anambra State.

His supporters point to his grassroots administrative experience, although questions have been raised about his previous relationship with the Gusau administration.

Segun Odegbami

Football legend Segun Odegbami remains one of the strongest voices demanding fundamental changes in Nigerian football administration.

The former Green Eagles captain has criticised the existing NFF electoral structure and called on President Bola Tinubu to halt the September 27 elective congress scheduled for Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Odegbami has argued that Nigeria’s football problems are structural and cannot be resolved simply by conducting another election under the existing system.

Although he has not formally declared his intention to contest the NFF presidency, his long-standing advocacy for football reform has made him a prominent figure in the leadership debate.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission is reportedly considering a three-month normalisation committee to oversee Nigerian football before a fresh election.

The identity of the proposed committee’s leadership had not been confirmed at the time of writing, leaving the future direction of the NFF uncertain following Gusau’s resignation.