The Nigeria Police Power, FCT Command, on Wednesday stopped a deliberate peaceable protest by the ‘Reform Our Soccer’ group on the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola Nationwide Stadium, Abuja, regardless of prior notification to the authorities.
In a press assertion issued on April 23, 2026, the group mentioned it had formally notified the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, by way of an official letter, of its intention to stage the protest.
“We remorse to tell the general public that the Nigeria Police Power, FCT Command, as we speak prevented our peaceable protest scheduled for the Velodrome, MKO Abiola Nationwide Stadium, Abuja,” mentioned Leo Olagbaye, Convener of Reform Our Soccer.
The group had deliberate a procession to the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) Headquarters to demand reforms within the nation’s soccer administration. Olagbaye insisted that “peaceable protest and freedom of meeting are basic rights assured underneath the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upheld by regulation.”
“The excuse superior by the Police to halt our protest can not and won’t deter this group from demanding a complete overhaul of soccer administration in Nigeria,” the assertion learn.
The group additionally accused the management of the Nationwide Sports Fee (NSC) of enabling the NFF’s failures. “The camaraderie and fraternity between each our bodies have enormously inhibited the expansion of the sport that thousands and thousands of Nigerians cherish,” Olagbaye mentioned.
He cited what he described as a “false and deceitful declare” that Nigeria would qualify for the World Cup “by way of the again door.” In accordance with the group, each NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and NFF Normal Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi had given repeated assurances on World Cup qualification however “have since gone silent after beforehand talking with nice conviction.”
“We can not proceed this manner,” Olagbaye said.
Following the police motion, the group mentioned it might now escalate its calls for. “In gentle of this, the Reform Our Soccer group hereby resolves to escalate this matter to the Presidency. Nigerian soccer deserves transparency, accountability, and management that matches the eagerness of its folks.”
Efforts to get a response from the FCT Police Command and the NFF have been unsuccessful as of press time.
The protest, initially scheduled for 9:30 AM on Thursday, April 24, 2026, on the Velodrome, was a part of rising calls by followers and stakeholders for structural adjustments in Nigerian soccer administration amid poor outcomes and governance issues.