Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has thrown his support behind Seyi Tinubu as a potential Nigeria Football Federation president, with the former Inter Milan star backing the younger leadership he believes can better understand what Nigerians expect from their football administrators, Footynaija.com reports.
The call comes at a time when the NFF is facing its biggest leadership shake-up in years. Ibrahim Gusau resigned as president on August 27 alongside General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the members of the federation’s Executive Committee, following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ historic failure to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Gusau’s departure also disrupted the federation’s planned electoral process. The NFF had been preparing for an elective congress on September 27, but that process has now been suspended as the authorities push for wider reforms in the administration of Nigerian football.
🚨 NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, alongside his Executive Committee and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, have resigned from their positions.
The immediate transition is being handled at the secretariat level, with the likes of former NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme being endorsed to oversee the federation’s affairs on an interim basis. The leadership question, however, has already generated several names as Nigerian football looks towards a new structure.
Martins explains why he backs Seyi Tinubu
Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Martins said he believes Seyi Tinubu has the qualities needed to lead the federation, particularly because of his age and understanding of what Nigerians want from football.
“I think Seyi Tinubu can be the president of the NFF. He is young and understands what Nigerians want. He is not the president yet, but he is making an effort,” Martins said, as reported by Brila FM.
❝He can change that…❞
Obafemi Martins believes Seyi Tinubu might be the right man to fix Nigerian football. pic.twitter.com/c0Bfc9Cm4y
The former Inter Milan and Newcastle United forward has therefore made his position clear at a time when the NFF is searching for a new direction.
Martins’ comments are an endorsement rather than confirmation that Tinubu is a candidate for the presidency. There is currently no indication that he has been formally appointed or elected to lead the federation.
For Martins, however, the argument is about the type of person he believes Nigerian football needs at the top. His backing of Tinubu adds another name to a leadership debate that has already featured former NFF president Amaju Pinnick, Segun Odegbami, Kunle Soname and ex-Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana.
