I have no plans to return as NFF president — Pinnick

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has confirmed that he has no intention of returning to the leadership of the country’s football governing body, bringing an end to years of speculation about a possible third term. Speaking to News Central TV in Morocco, Pinnick said that although he remains young and capable at […]

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has confirmed that he has no intention of returning to the leadership of the country’s football governing body, bringing an end to years of speculation about a possible third term.

Speaking to News Central TV in Morocco, Pinnick said that although he remains young and capable at 55, he has no desire to seek the office again.

“I’m young. I’m 55. I can still be an NFF president. But do I want to be? Never,” Pinnick said.

Pinnick served as NFF president from 2014 to 2022, completing two full terms. During his tenure, he also held prominent roles on the continent and globally, including First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and membership of FIFA’s Organising Committee for competitions.

Reflecting on his eight years in charge, Pinnick expressed satisfaction with his time in office and stressed the need for the federation to move forward by addressing existing gaps and strengthening its structures.

“I’ve done eight years and I’m okay with it. So it’s moving forward. It’s helping the federation, seeing some of their inadequacies and see how to make it adequate,” he said.

His decision not to seek another term follows a period of intense legal and political controversy surrounding the NFF’s electoral process. In 2022, he was succeeded by Zamfara FA chairman Ibrahim Gusau, who was elected as the 40th NFF president at the federation’s 78th elective congress.

Prior to his exit, Pinnick had argued that he was “eligible to run for a third term” under his interpretation of the NFF statutes. However, the idea drew criticism for conflicting with the Nigerian constitution, which limits leadership tenure in national federations to two terms. Former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung had insisted that “limitation of tenure is already in the constitution.”