NFF names Abdulrahaman NPFL chief as league season begins

The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, as the 2026/27 league season got underway across the country on Friday.

The appointment was announced by the NFF on Friday and took immediate effect, placing Abdulrahaman in charge of the operational administration of Nigeria’s top-flight football league.

His appointment came on the same day the new NPFL season officially began with a headline fixture between Shooting Stars and newly promoted Inter Lagos at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan.

The development is part of a broader restructuring of the NFF’s management and league administration, with the federation moving to reorganise the leadership structure of its various competitions.

Restructuring of league administration

The appointment followed a directive issued by the NFF on Thursday, August 27, ordering all board members and chief executive officers of the various leagues, as well as chief operating officers who are not members of NFF staff, to vacate their positions.

The federation said the directive formed part of its ongoing efforts to restructure its management and strengthen the administration of Nigerian football.

The latest changes have affected the leadership of the country’s football competitions as the NFF seeks to establish a new administrative framework.

Abdulrahaman’s appointment therefore comes at a significant point for the NPFL, with the new season already underway and clubs beginning their campaigns for domestic and continental honours.

New responsibility for Abdulrahaman

As Chief Operating Officer, Abdulrahaman is expected to oversee the day-to-day operational administration of the NPFL and coordinate league activities as the 2026/27 campaign progresses.

His responsibilities will come as the league enters a new season featuring established sides alongside newly promoted clubs seeking to make an impact in the top flight.

The NPFL campaign will see clubs compete for the league title, places in continental competitions and survival, with the various teams expected to battle throughout the season for different objectives.

The opening fixture in Ibadan provided the first major action of the new campaign, with Shooting Stars taking on Inter Lagos.

Inter Lagos earned promotion to the NPFL ahead of the new season and began its top-flight journey against Shooting Stars in one of the opening-day fixtures.

NFF leadership changes

The appointment of Abdulrahaman came a day after the NFF appointed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme as its interim General Secretary.

Ikpeme confirmed Abdulrahaman’s appointment, explaining that the decision was made in accordance with the federation’s latest directive on the restructuring of its management and league administration.

The interim General Secretary’s appointment was also part of the changes announced by the federation following the order for affected members of its management and secretariat to vacate their positions.

The latest developments represent a major administrative shake-up within Nigerian football as the NFF begins implementing changes to the way its leagues and competitions are managed.

Focus shifts to new NPFL season

With the administrative changes taking place alongside the commencement of the league season, attention will now shift to how the new structure functions during the campaign.

Abdulrahaman is expected to work with the relevant stakeholders, including clubs and other league administrators, to ensure the smooth running of the NPFL.

The 2026/27 season will provide the new NPFL leadership with an opportunity to implement the federation’s administrative changes while ensuring that fixtures, competition rules and other operational matters are effectively managed.

The NFF’s restructuring also comes at a time when the NPFL continues to seek greater stability, improved administration and stronger competitiveness in Nigerian domestic football.

With the new season now underway, Abdulrahaman assumes his role as the league’s Chief Operating Officer with immediate responsibility for overseeing its operations.