Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has voiced his frustration with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), urging government intervention if the body fails to address ongoing issues.
Mikel, who has been outspoken about the state of Nigerian football, did not hold back in his criticism, highlighting instances where he had to step in due to the negligence and questionable practices of those in charge.
He also questioned the competence of those occupying key positions, with poor decision-making and a lack of proper support for the national teams the order of the day.
“The (NFF) need to make sure they get the right people who will run the Federation,” Mikel said on his Obi-One podcast.
“You have all these men who know nothing about football. They’re just there because obviously they’ve been voted in.”
Mikel Obi calls for government interference
Mikel outright accused the NFF of pocketing the majority of funds provided by the government, leaving only a fraction for the running of football.
“They release maybe 10% of it and then the rest is shared between them. The players don’t get the… environment in terms of facilities, flights hotels, and things like that and then players suffer. Things that led up to that should be looked at.
“We need to make sure the corruption is out definitely.”
Despite FIFA’s regulations prohibiting government interference in football administration, Mikel argued for the necessity of that measure to prevent further damage to Nigerian football.
“The government needs to step in. I know FIFA says the government cannot be involved in sports, but if people are not doing the right things to make sure that things are improved, we have to make sure that they get you out because you’re so incompetent.
“People who know what it means to represent your country should be the people in charge of it, not the people who want to steal money.”
