General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) and former Nigeria international Edema Fuludu has welcomed former Super Eagles forward Ben Akwuegbu’s interest in contesting for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Fuludu described Akwuegbu as an experienced former international with valuable knowledge of Nigerian football, stressing that former players who possess the capacity and ambition to contribute to the administration of the game should be encouraged to step forward.
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The development comes at a significant period for Nigerian football, with the ongoing reform process generating renewed calls for greater involvement of former professionals in the administration of the sport.
According to Fuludu, Akwuegbu’s playing experience and understanding of the football environment make his interest in the NFF presidency worthy of consideration.
“Ben Akwuegbu is an experienced former international who has made contributions to football development.”
Fuludu further indicated that PFAN would be willing to support former players who demonstrate the competence, commitment and ambition required to lead Nigerian football.
“PFAN would support ex-players who have the capacity and ambition to lead Nigerian football.”
The PFAN General Secretary’s position comes amid a broader debate over the future composition and direction of the NFF, particularly following the resignation of the previous board and the emergence of a transition period for proposed reforms.
Former professionals have increasingly called for a greater role in football administration, arguing that those who experienced the game as players possess valuable insight into issues affecting football development, player welfare and the broader structure of the sport.
Fuludu’s comments therefore place Akwuegbu’s potential ambition within that wider movement for increased participation of ex-internationals in the running of Nigerian football.
For PFAN, the emphasis appears to be on identifying former players who can bring both football knowledge and the administrative capacity needed to contribute meaningfully to the next phase of the game.
As consultations around the proposed reforms continue, the possibility of former internationals seeking leadership positions could add another dimension to the debate over who should shape the future of Nigerian football.
With Nigerian football searching for a new direction, Fuludu believes former internationals should not only be remembered for what they did on the pitch — those with the capacity to lead should also be allowed to shape the game from the boardroom.
