Eligibility criteria for elections into the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation have been relaxed to allow for a more transparent process, according to the new leadership of the NFF.

Vociferous criticism of the skewed Election Guidelines led in part to the crisis which saw President Goodluck Jonathan decide to withdraw Nigeria from international competition for two years.

The President reviewed the decision following the impeachment of the NFF’s principal officers and pleas from football stakeholders, and the new NFF leadership now say they have made changes to the Guidelines
“We have had our first Board meeting since the change and we assure Nigerians that we will work towards getting Nigeria football back on the right course.”

“Already, we have slashed the cost of form for the elections and expanded the scope for every interested Nigerian to participate. We have also called for an Extra_Ordinary General Assembly for Friday, 9th July in Abuja that will bring forth a lot of ideas,” Acting President Aminu Maigari said at a meeting with Sports Minister Isa Bio on Wednesday.

The decision has drawn support from the Nigerian government, with Bio welcoming the three-month extension of the election timetable
“As far government is concerned, we have no objection to the three–month extension that you are seeking for your Board’s tenure. That is good because you want to open up the democratic space, which is courageous and commendable.
My charge to you is to be focused, transparent and accountable,” Bio said.