Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has praised President Bola Tinubu for efforts to restructure sports administration in Nigeria.
Diri made the commendation while declaring open the 2026 Extraordinary General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday.
Represented by his deputy, Peter Akpe, the governor expressed confidence that transitioning from a ministry structure to a commission system would enhance governance and bring sports administration closer to stakeholders.
He also lauded initiatives to revive the National Sports Institute, noting that the facility had deteriorated over time but is now receiving renewed attention. Diri further commended ongoing refurbishment of the National Stadium in Abuja and wished the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, success in repositioning the sector.
He urged participants at the NFF assembly to uphold fairness, transparency, and integrity, emphasising that the future of Nigerian football relies not only on talent but also on credible governance.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to sports development, highlighting the construction of a 30,000-capacity FIFA-standard stadium in Igbogene, Yenagoa.
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“Beyond programmes and competition, we are making significant investments in infrastructure to support the long-term growth of sports generally and football in particular. At Igbogene here in Yenagoa, construction of a 30,000-capacity international stadium is ongoing, and it is designed to meet FIFA and CAF standards,” Diri said.
“Not too long from now, we are expecting to host CAF and FIFA. That is the drive and intention of my government. This facility will not only serve as a hub for sporting excellence but also position our dear state as key destination for national and international sporting events.”
Earlier, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa government for its support of sports development and called on delegates to prioritise reforms aligned with global best practices, stressing inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said the extraordinary congress was convened to discuss reforms and preparations for the federation’s elective congress scheduled for September.
Representatives of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, Solomon Mudege and Nadim Magdy, respectively, pledged support for the federation’s governance processes and commended the Bayelsa government for hosting the event.
Other attendees included Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, executive committee members, and representatives from various football bodies and associations.