Real reasons Super Eagles & Chelsea great Mikel refused to join NFF ahead of September elections

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed that he has repeatedly turned down invitations to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Afrik-Foot reports.

The former Chelsea midfielder insists he cannot be part of a system that, in his view, has failed to move Nigerian football forward.

Mikel made the comments during a podcast hosted by former England striker Peter Crouch, where he spoke openly about the problems he believes have affected football administration in Nigeria for many years.

Mikel said he has been approached several times to return home and take up a role within the federation, but he refused because he does not believe the current leadership shares his vision for improving the game.

“We don’t have people that know about football. They occupy their positions year after year, controlling everything. They are reluctant to relinquish their power and the financial benefits that come with it.

“I have received calls to return and get involved, but I have declined. Those individuals need to go. I cannot work with people who do not share the same objectives as I do.

“The goal is to improve the standard of football in Nigeria, which can be achieved quite easily. The funds must be allocated to the appropriate areas.”

The former Trabzonspor midfielder argued that Nigeria already has the talent needed to compete with the world’s best, but said poor administration has stopped the country from reaching its full potential. According to him, football development would improve significantly if resources were invested in youth development, coaching, infrastructure and player welfare instead of being mismanaged.

Mikel’s latest refusal come months after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a setback that intensified calls from supporters for respected former internationals to take leading roles in the administration of Nigerian football.

NFF leadership, September elections and growing calls for reform

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is currently led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who has been in office since October 2022 after winning the federation’s elective congress. His administration, alongside First Vice President Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Second Vice President and NPFL Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, has now served for three years and nine months.

Administrative continuity is also provided by General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who has held the position since March 2015, while former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has served as Technical Director since November 2020. Their current executive cycle is due to end in September 2026, with the next NFF Elective Congress already scheduled for September 26 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

As campaigning gathers momentum ahead of the elections, public discussions have increasingly centred on whether former football stars should help lead the federation. Mikel and former Super Eagles defender Michael Emenalo are frequently mentioned because of their international reputations, although they offer very different profiles.

Emenalo is regarded as one of football’s most respected executives after serving as Chelsea’s Technical Director, AS Monaco’s Technical Director and later Chief Football Executive of the Saudi Pro League. Mikel, meanwhile, is admired for his leadership on the pitch, having earned 89 caps for Nigeria, captained the Super Eagles, won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and collected the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and multiple Premier League titles with Chelsea.