Football agents meet NSC chairman, set growth agenda

The Nigerian chapter of the Africa Football Agents Association (AFAA-Nigeria) has met with the Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, to discuss strategies for enhancing the operational standards and overall growth of football in the country.

The meeting, held at the NSC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, 28 February 2025, was led by AFAA-Nigeria President, Michael Sodeke, alongside key officials, including Acting Secretary Oluwafemi Davies-Awe, Gbenga Oluwanifise, Eddie Iseri Ogbemudia, and Destiny Omonigho.

During discussions, the delegation outlined AFAA-Nigeria’s vision, stressing the need for operational standards, better player representation, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the Nigerian football ecosystem.

In his welcome remarks, Dikko recognised AFAA-Nigeria as a key stakeholder in the country’s football industry. He assured the delegation that the NSC is committed to working with football agents to improve player welfare and professional standards in Nigeria.

However, Sodeke criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its inaction on crucial regulatory issues. He lamented that despite several collaborative efforts by AFAA-Nigeria, the NFF has remained largely unresponsive in addressing industry concerns.

Key Resolutions from the Meeting

Both parties agreed on several action points to improve football management in Nigeria:

1 Strengthening Synergy Between NFF and AFAA-Nigeria

AFAA-Nigeria and the NFF must work closely to regulate football agents effectively and promote transparency in player representation.

2 Reinvestment into the Football Industry

Football agents should be encouraged to reinvest in grassroots football development to create a sustainable talent pipeline