Ladipo: NFF interference killing Football Supporters Club

•Says only 18 supporters in Morocco

Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, President General of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC), has accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of deliberately undermining and fragmenting the country’s once-unified supporters’ movement, warning it has negatively affected Nigeria’s football fortunes on the continental and global stage.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Ladipo said the NFSC, over 70 years old, has been systematically weakened through administrative interference, imposition of an Interim Management Committee, and refusal to recognise the club’s constitutional processes. He explained that the briefing was delayed to avoid distracting Nigeria’s players during ongoing international engagements, particularly in Morocco.

Ladipo recalled the NFSC’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s football development, from the Green Eagles to the Super Eagles, and across junior national teams. He stressed that the NFSC is unique globally, boasting chapters across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia, many of which he personally inaugurated at his own expense.

Ladipo rejected claims the Supporters Club benefits financially from football, saying members self-fund their activities. “We don’t collect money from NFF or government. We sacrifice our time, jobs, families, and lives to support Nigeria,” he said.

The NFSC leader alleged the crisis began in 2012 when NFF tried to impose leadership without elections, contrary to the club’s constitution. He said NFF discouraged corporate sponsors by branding the club “disunited”. “Who divided us? It is the NFF,” Ladipo stated.

He criticised Nigeria’s arrangement in Morocco, with only 18 supporters, describing it as unprecedented and shameful. Ladipo appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, urging authorities to let the Supporters Club operate independently.

Ladipo expressed confidence the Super Eagles can reach the Morocco tournament final if things are properly organised. He also highlighted Nigerian boxing’s revival under his leadership of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control. Ladipo warned that unless the Supporters Club is unified, Nigeria risks decline in fan support and morale at international competitions. His interest, he said, is Nigeria’s image and sports success, not personal power or gain.