Former Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, Fanny Amun, has explained why he resigned as chairman of the NFF fact-finding committee shortly after submitting its report.
Amun said he stepped down because he wanted to protect the independence of the committee’s findings and prevent anyone from influencing the report after the investigation had been completed.
The former NFF official made this known during a press conference at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State, on Tuesday.
According to him, his decision was deliberate. He said he did not want to remain in charge of the committee after its work had been concluded and the report submitted to the federation.
“I did not want anyone to influence the report before I submitted it to the NFF. That was why I submitted it and resigned,” Amun said.
He explained that the committee was initially given two weeks to complete its assignment. However, he already knew that the work could be completed much earlier.
Amun said he deliberately told members of the committee that the exercise could take two weeks because he wanted to avoid unnecessary pressure or interference while the investigation was ongoing.
“I told everyone, including members of the committee, that it would take two weeks, even though I knew it would not take me more than one week. This was because I did not want anyone to influence the fact-finding committee’s decisions. So, I decided to submit the report and resign. I am not someone who will spend more than enough time in a position.”
His resignation came barely eight days after the committee was formally inaugurated by the NFF.
The federation had constituted the panel following a difficult period for Nigeria’s national teams, particularly the Super Falcons, whose failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup has raised concern.
The NFF announced the committee on August 14 and formally inaugurated it on August 17.
President of the federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, gave the panel two weeks to investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent setbacks and submit its recommendations.
The immediate concern was the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Nigeria entered the competition as defending champions and the most successful team in the history of the tournament. The Falcons, however, were eliminated at the quarter-final stage.
Their disappointment became worse when they subsequently lost 2-1 to South Africa in the playoff for a place in the qualification route for the 2027 World Cup.
The result ended Nigeria’s long-standing record of appearing at every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991. Nigeria will therefore not be present at the 2027 tournament in Brazil.
The crisis surrounding the team had already led to calls for changes within the football administration.
Recall that POLITICS NIGERIA had earlier reported the NFF’s decision to sack the Super Falcons’ technical crew following the team’s disappointing WAFCON campaign.
The move came as questions increased over the preparation and management of the national team.
However, the fact-finding committee was not created solely to examine the Falcons’ failure.
Its mandate covered the broader problems affecting Nigeria’s national teams and their performances in international competitions.
Gusau directed the committee to investigate both the direct and remote causes of the setbacks. The panel was also expected to speak with relevant stakeholders, receive memoranda from members of the public and make recommendations that could improve Nigerian football.
Amun headed the committee, with former Nigeria U-20 coach Ladan Bosso, former Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie, former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju and former FIFA referee Alex Mana as members.
Nasiru Jibril served as secretary.
At the committee’s inauguration, Amun had promised that the members would approach the assignment seriously and independently.
“We see this as a call to a very important national duty. It is not something that can be approached half-hearted; we have to immerse ourselves fully into the processes and come out with a report that all who have a stake in the Nigeria game will be proud of. We must endeavour to speak the truth at all times and be very diligent.”
Amun also used the opportunity to raise concerns about some aspects of the federation’s administration.
He criticised the NFF electoral statutes, particularly the treatment of serving members of the executive board compared with other contestants seeking elective positions.
According to him, every contestant should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny before being allowed to contest elections.
“If you say in the electoral law that everyone who applies must go through the Ethics Committee except the present executive board members, it is an affront,” he said.
He called for changes that would require all contestants, including serving board members, to undergo screening by the NFF Ethics Committee and relevant financial crime agencies.
Amun also called for asset declaration by football administrators and recommended limits on the number of terms elected officials should serve.
“Nobody should do more than two terms maximum,” he said.
The former NFF secretary also spoke about the welfare of players, coaches and federation employees.
He raised concerns about allowances and working conditions, alleging that some board members receive full allowances during foreign trips while players and coaches may not receive similar treatment.
He further questioned the continued use of temporary contracts for some federation employees who have spent many years working within the system.
Amun said these issues should be addressed if Nigerian football is to develop a stronger administrative structure.
On Tuesday, Amun confirmed that he had also resigned from the NFF Ethics Committee.
He thanked Gusau, the NFF General Secretary and members of the federation’s board for the opportunity to serve.
“I have submitted my report on behalf of myself and the other members. I resign my appointment as the chairman of that committee, with immediate effect,” he said.
Amun added that he remained available if the federation required further explanation about the findings.
He also disclosed that copies of the report had been sent to the NFF, FIFA, CAF, the National Sports Commission and other security agencies.
The contents of the report have not been made public by the NFF.
