The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National League (NNL), Emmanuel Danjuma Attah, has revealed that the current board inherited what he described as “an almost dead league” when they assumed office in 2023.

 

Attah, a former Super Eagles Coordinator, made the remarks during an appearance on the ECN Hard Truths podcast. He said that upon taking over the management of the league, the board encountered a system plagued by a lack of transparency, accountability, and public trust.

 

“In short, nothing was on ground, and nothing was working. The Secretariat was nothing to write home about, and it was purely a league for the highest bidder,” he stated.

 

The former FCT FA Chairman explained that their appointment by Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), came with a clear mandate to reform and reposition the league.

 

“When NFF President Ibrahim Gusau appointed us, he pleaded with us to go and reform the league. He promised to support us at all levels, and this he has done at every point,” Attah said.

 

According to him, the backing of the NFF has led to significant improvements in the league’s operations. He noted that public confidence has gradually returned, reflected in the quality of teams being promoted to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the renewed interest from corporate sponsors.

 

Attah further attributed the league’s progress to the integrity of the board members under the leadership of George Aluo.

 

“I can boldly say that anyone who would claim that we have at any time collected anything to favour his team should come forward and say so. We remain accountable until the end of our tenure,” he declared.

 

The NNL CEO maintained that the board remains committed to strengthening the league’s structure and ensuring transparency as part of broader efforts to enhance professional football in Nigeria.