Former Super Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo has expressed hope that Nigeria’s football can regain its former glory once the ongoing reform process is successfully concluded, insisting that restoring confidence in the game must go beyond changes in administration.
Ekpo’s comments come at a crucial moment for Nigerian football following the resignation of the former Nigeria Football Federation leadership and the commencement of a broader reform process aimed at addressing longstanding structural problems in the sport.
READ ALSO: Former Super Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo has expressed hope that Nigeria’s football can regain its former glory once the ongoing
President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, with governance, development pathways, domestic competitions, stakeholder representation and accountability identified as key areas requiring attention. FIFA and CAF are also expected to be involved in the reform discussions.
For Ekpo, however, the ultimate measure of any reform will be whether it succeeds in reconnecting Nigerians with their football.
The former international wants to see supporters return to stadiums, domestic football regain its excitement and the national teams once again competing successfully on the biggest stages.
“I hope Nigerian football can return to its former glory. We want to see the fans come back to the stadiums, enjoy our domestic football and support the efforts to improve the game.”
His comments underline the extent of the disconnect that has developed between Nigerian football and its supporters in recent years.
The country’s football crisis has been compounded by major failures on the international stage, with the Super Eagles missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons failing to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the first time Nigeria will miss the women’s tournament since its inception.
Ekpo believes those setbacks must now become a catalyst for change rather than another chapter in a cycle of disappointment.
The former Super Eagles midfielder has previously called for Nigeria to return to the basics of football development, particularly by strengthening the country’s youth structures and identifying talent at an early age.
“We need to go back, identify where we made mistakes and begin to correct them. We need to have our underage teams and nurture them.”
He also wants the domestic game to become strong enough to serve as a genuine pathway for players into the national teams.
That, in his view, would require more attention to grassroots development, better competitions and an environment where young Nigerian footballers can develop before being rushed into professional football.
The current reform process provides an opportunity to address some of those concerns. The NFF has suspended its planned September elective congress, while interim arrangements have been put in place under Emmanuel Ikpeme to maintain essential operations as consultations continue with FIFA, CAF, government and football stakeholders.
But Ekpo’s message is that reform should ultimately be judged by what happens on the pitch and in the stands.
Nigeria’s football supporters have endured years of disappointment, and the former international believes the game must once again become something Nigerians are proud to watch, follow and invest their emotions in.
For him, qualification for major tournaments remains an important part of that recovery.
The Super Eagles must return to the Africa Cup of Nations, compete seriously for continental honours and eventually restore Nigeria’s place among the world’s leading football nations.
“We need to qualify for major competitions like the World Cup and AFCON. That is what will bring the joy back to Nigerian football.”
