Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has called for Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to take a leading role in reforming the Nigeria Football Federation amid an ongoing administrative crisis.
Speaking on Monday in an interview with ex-captain John Mikel Obi on The Obi One Podcast, Martins said Nigerian football administration has long been plagued by problems and needs fresh, younger leadership.
“I mean, it’s always been like that, you know, so we just need someone that, you know, that can help,” Martins said. “You know, someone, you know, a young person that understands the game, that understands the system, that can help us. And I, and I think Seyi Tinubu can do that too.”
The 41-year-old former Inter Milan and Newcastle United forward added: “You know, he understands, he’s young, and he understands what Nigerian people want. You know, I think he can change that.”
Seyi Tinubu has not publicly expressed interest in any NFF position.
Martins’ comments come days after NFF president Ibrahim Gusau and general secretary Muhammad Sanusi resigned, followed by a presidential directive for comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football. The order aims to address repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments and to strengthen governance, administration and accountability.
An interim leadership has been put in place, and elections scheduled for late September have been suspended pending the reforms, which will involve consultations with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football.
