The race to shape the future of Nigerian football has taken an unexpected turn, with former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins throwing his support behind Seyi Tinubu as a potential president of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Martins made the suggestion while discussing the challenges confronting Nigerian football and the kind of leadership he believes is required to rebuild the game.
His comments come days after Ibrahim Gusau resigned as NFF president following three years and 11 months in charge, bringing a sudden change of leadership to the federation.
Gusau said his decision was made after consultations with his family and friends and was motivated by his love for Nigeria and commitment to football development. He did not cite pressure or the team’s poor results as his stated reason for stepping down.
Martins, however, believes the next person at the helm of the NFF should be young, understand the football system and have a clear grasp of what Nigerians expect from the game.
From left – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and son Seyi Tinubu, born Oluwaseyi Abiodun Tinubu on October 13, 1985, an entrepreneur, lawyer, philanthropist and political figure, best known as the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. Photocredit: TheGuardian
And when asked who could fit that description, the former striker singled out Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We need a young person as the president of the NFF who understands the game. I think Seyi Tinubu can do that too. He’s young and understands what Nigerians want. He’s not the president yet, but he’s making an effort.”
Martins expanded on his view during an appearance on the latest episode of the ObiOne Podcast, insisting that Nigerian football needs somebody capable of understanding both the game and the system around it.
“We just need someone that can help. A young person that understands the game, and the system that can help us,” Martins said.
“I think Seyi Tinubu can do that too. He’s young and understands what Nigerian people want. He can change that if he wants to.”
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The endorsement is striking because Seyi Tinubu is not known primarily for a football administration career, making Martins’ suggestion an unusual one at a time when the NFF is facing renewed questions about the direction of Nigerian football.
The federation’s leadership transition follows a difficult period for several of Nigeria’s national teams.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s youth teams have also endured setbacks, including the Flying Eagles’ failure to qualify for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations and the Golden Eaglets’ struggles in recent editions of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
Those results have intensified the debate over what needs to change at the Glass House and who should lead the next phase.
Martins brings considerable experience of Nigerian football to the conversation. the former striker made 42 appearances for the Super Eagles and scored 18 goals.
Obafemi Martins jubilates after scoring the first goal against Senegal during the knock-out round game in the Group D of the African Nations Cup (CAN) preliminary football, played in the Egyptian city of Port Said, north of Cairo, 31 January 2006. Nigeria won the game 2-1. Photocredit: Getty Images
At club level, he played for prominent sides including Inter Milan and Newcastle United, while his career also took him to Russia, China, the United States and Spain. He retired from professional football in 2020 at the age of 41.
His call for younger leadership comes at a moment when the NFF is expected to undergo significant changes following Gusau’s resignation.
Gusau himself highlighted coaching education, domestic league administration, refereeing and infrastructure among the areas where his administration recorded progress, while identifying inadequate football infrastructure as one of the country’s biggest challenges.
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Whether Seyi Tinubu will have any role in the future leadership of the NFF remains unclear. Martins’ comments are an endorsement rather than an indication that Seyi has declared an intention to contest for the presidency.
What is certain is that, with the NFF entering a new chapter, the debate over who should lead Nigerian football has already begun and Martins has placed an unexpected name firmly in the conversation.
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