After one year as the supremo of football administration in Nigeria, the president of the Nigerian Football Federation Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has revealed how the NFF has managed financial resources in the midst of harsh economic impact in the country and the world in general in the past one year.
Speaking with tobexmedia.com
Gusau said that unnecessary expenditures in the NFF have been eradicated and financial prudence is the hallmark of his administration since he assumed office.
As a trained Accountant with over 35 years experience in the civil service, the astute football administrator added that the NFF will continue to manage the little resources at their disposal and ensure that only very important national assignments are given priorities for financial expenditures.
“What we are trying to do, is to manage the resources in the NFF. I had to cut off all unnecessary expenditures, including the ones that had to do with myself,”
Speaking further he said: “I tried to use myself as an example. Flying Eagles were at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, I was not there. The Super Falcons represented Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, I was not there when the team was in the tournament.
“I only went to Australia on the invitation of FIFA for the final game. I did not spend a dime from the NFF.
“So, So, we tried to reduce a lot of expenditures that we feel are not necessary and face the reality of what we need to do with the little resources at our disposal.
“The national teams are our priorities based on the little resources we have.
Nigeria being a great football nation in Africa, Gusua admitted that NFF are one of the busiest Federations in the world, the busiest in Africa.
“We are the busiest Federation in Africa, if not in the world. A lot of these Federations in Africa only rely on the financial support from FIFA for their football activities and many only participate at the qualifiers.
“And most times, they crash out after playing two matches, and they look forward to another football calender year. Nigeria is far different, and expectations are high.
“Basically, i try as much as possible to reduce a lot of expenditures in order for us to concentrate on the core mandate of what we are supposed to do with the little resources in the NFF,” he concluded.
