NFF

  The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), coinciding with the commencement of the 2026/27 league season on Friday. The appointment was announced by the NFF on Friday, the same day the new NPFL season opened with a headline fixture between Shooting Stars and newly promoted Inter Lagos at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan. The federation said Abdulrahaman’s appointment took immediate effect. His appointment followed a directive issued by the NFF on Thursday, August 27, for 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 directive is part of the federation’s ongoing restructuring of its management and league administration. The NFF also appointed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme as its interim General Secretary on Thursday. Ikpeme confirmed Abdulrahaman’s appointment, saying it was made in line with the federation’s directive. Abdulrahaman will now oversee the operational administration of the NPFL as clubs begin their campaigns in the new season. The opening-day fixture in Ibadan saw Shooting Stars face newly promoted Inter Lagos as the NPFL returned to action across the country. The new season will see clubs compete for the league title, continental qualification places and survival as the campaign progresses. The appointment comes a day after the NFF appointed Ikpeme as its interim General Secretary, following the directive for members of the federation’s management and secretariat affected by the restructuring to vacate their positions.