The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League with immediate effect.
Abdulrahaman’s appointment was announced on Friday, as the 2026/27 NPFL season kicked off with Shooting Stars hosting newly promoted Inter Lagos at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
He succeeds Davidson Owumi, who had served as the league’s chief operating officer before Thursday’s directive ordering league board members, chief executives and COOs who are not NFF employees to vacate their positions.
The change is part of a sweeping reorganisation of Nigerian football following the resignations of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s executive committee.
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The federation also suspended preparations for its elective congress, previously scheduled for September 27, pending the completion of the comprehensive football reforms ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
NFF interim General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme said Abdulrahaman’s appointment followed the directive affecting the leadership of the NPFL, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One.
Abdulrahaman brings extensive experience in domestic football administration, having worked across several divisions of the Nigerian league system.
He previously served as chief operating officer of the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Women Football League, in addition to holding a senior position in the NFF Competitions Department.
His immediate task will be to oversee the day-to-day administration of the NPFL during a delicate transition that has coincided with the start of the new campaign.
Friday’s opening fixture featured Shooting Stars, who will represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup, against NPFL debutants Inter Lagos. The remaining nine Matchday One fixtures are scheduled for Sunday.
The leadership changes come amid broader efforts to restructure Nigerian football following the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the Super Falcons’ absence from the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The crisis prompted the resignation of Gusau and other senior NFF officials on Thursday.
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