The ratification of the League Management (LMC) governing structure has been described as a welcome development that will add greater impetus to the reform processes initiated when the body was set up by the immediate past board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The NFF at its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, November 23 approved and adopted the governing structure of the LMC as presented by the Executive Committee of the NFF which at its inaugural meeting in Abuja had accepted a 7-member Board for the League Management Company (LMC).
Commenting on the decision, Harry Iwuala, the LMC’s Head of Special Projects noted that “The ratification by the AGM has addressed the issue of league governance structure and made clear how the league will be operated and regulated. It has more importantly assured stability and allowed nimbleness in the business operations of the league administration”.
Observers have acclaimed the decision as a major breakthrough in the process of reforming the league which began with the setting up of the then interim body, the League Management Committee by the former NFF Executive Committee led by Aminu Maigari in December 2012. It was pursuant to its mandate to take any decisions and measures it deems appropriate for the successful implementation of the reforms, that the League Management Company was incorporated in March 2013.
“There will be stability in administration of the league, there will be neutrality in decision making and the LMC will be surefooted to go out and speak to potential corporate partners. The ratification will create confidence both locally and internationally that a new era of stability has commenced in professional football league administration in Nigeria and to give the league a proper foundation in law”.
The new governing structure will have an Independent Chairman, two other independent members with three representatives of all the Clubs admitted to the league from time to time and a Chief Executive Officer. The NFF will maintain a representative who does not sit on the board but holds a golden share and power to veto decisions on technical matters and constitution of the Board.
Iwuala said the LMC would have a governing body that perpetually reflects and represents the best interest of Nigerians, the Clubs and the Federation as custodians of the rules of the game.
On the place of the Clubs in the LMC, he explained that the approved governance structure makes it more inclusive for the clubs which now have a documented stake on the company and a voice in creating and sharing expected fortunes that will naturally flow from a stable and properly structured league administration. It is a mix of league governance models adopted to suit our local circumstances and brings the advantages of independence and expertise without alienating participating clubs.
