Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has praised the Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to expand its Congress, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening domestic football and enhancing competitiveness.
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Under the new structure approved by the Nigeria Football Federation, the NPFL will now have 10 delegates in the Congress, with five slots allocated to the top five clubs at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
For Elegbeleye, this represents a major shift in how the domestic league is integrated into football governance.
“This is a good development,” he said, highlighting the importance of giving clubs a stronger voice in decision-making.
In addition to the NPFL’s increased representation, the Nigeria National League and Nigeria Nationwide League One will each have two delegates, a move designed to ensure broader inclusion across different tiers of the football pyramid.
Elegbeleye believes this new system will not only deepen competitiveness but also reward performance, as only the best-performing clubs will earn the right to participate in the electoral process.
“It encourages excellence,” he implied.
He also pointed out that the reform aligns with the need to modernize football governance in Nigeria, making it more inclusive and performance-driven.
For clubs, the opportunity to gain voting rights adds an extra layer of motivation, as success on the pitch could now translate into influence off it.
As the NFF prepares for its elective congress later this year, the expanded structure is expected to play a key role in shaping the outcome.
For Nigerian football, the change signals a move toward a more balanced and representative system.
And as Elegbeleye suggests, it could mark the beginning of a new era.
Where performance is not just rewarded with trophies, but with a voice.
