The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called for a stronger and more structured working relationship with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), reaffirming its readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving football administration, communication, transparency and stakeholder engagement in Nigerian football.
The call was made when the national leadership of SWAN paid a working visit to the NFF Secretariat Headquarters in Abuja, where the delegation held discussions with the federation’s interim management led by Acting Secretary-General, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, and Acting Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Ademola Olajire.
The visit came in the aftermath of SWAN’s participation in a stakeholders’ meeting with a joint FIFA and CAF delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, during which the association presented an 18-page position paper outlining its perspectives on the challenges confronting Nigerian football and possible pathways towards meaningful institutional and administrative reforms.
Against this backdrop, the SWAN-NFF meeting provided an opportunity for the association to further clarify its position and explore practical areas of collaboration with the federation’s interim management, particularly in communication, information management, public enlightenment and stakeholder engagement.
SWAN, NFF DISCUSS STRONGER COLLABORATION
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss areas of mutual interest, particularly the role of sports journalism in promoting transparency, accountability, public enlightenment and constructive stakeholder engagement in football administration.
SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin stressed that the sports media should not be viewed merely as a channel for disseminating information, but as an important stakeholder in the development and administration of Nigerian football.
The association supremo assured its willingness to work with the NFF management in promoting accurate and timely information, strengthening communication between football administrators and the public, and creating platforms for constructive dialogue around the development of the game.
Speaking during the meeting, NFF Acting Secretary-General, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, described SWAN as a critical stakeholder in Nigerian football and expressed the federation’s commitment to strengthening the relationship.
“The NFF values SWAN as a critical stakeholder in Nigerian football, and we are committed to strengthening our partnership with the association to promote better communication, accountability and sustainable development of the game,” Ikpeme said.
Responding, SWAN President Mr. Benjamin reaffirmed the association’s commitment to constructive engagement with the football authorities and other stakeholders.
“SWAN is ready to work constructively with the NFF and all stakeholders to strengthen Nigerian football through credible information, professional journalism, meaningful dialogue and collective responsibility for the growth of the game,” Benjamin said.
The engagement is particularly relevant against the backdrop of the ongoing football reform process. SWAN has advocated an inclusive approach to the restructuring of Nigerian football, with meaningful participation by relevant stakeholders and appropriate recognition of the role of the sports media in future governance and development structures.
SWAN ENGAGES IGOCHE MARK ON BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENT
In a related engagement, the SWAN national leadership also paid a courtesy visit to basketball investor and promoter, Igoche Mark, with discussions focusing on the development of Nigerian basketball and the importance of stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
During the meeting, Benjamin acknowledged Mark’s longstanding involvement in basketball development, particularly through the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, grassroots competitions and talent development initiatives.
The SWAN President recounted that sustained investment in domestic basketball creates opportunities for players, strengthens grassroots development and contributes to the establishment of more competitive structures within the sport.
Mark, who has expressed his intention to contest for the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), used the opportunity to call for objective, balanced and constructive sports journalism.
Speaking on his commitment to the development of the sport, Mark said: “I remain committed to investing in the growth of Nigerian basketball and believe that sustained collaboration among the NBBF, investors, the media and other stakeholders is essential to building a stronger and more sustainable basketball ecosystem.”
Benjamin, in turn, stressed that SWAN’s engagement with basketball stakeholders was part of the association’s broader responsibility to promote dialogue, visibility and professional reporting around sports development.
“SWAN recognises the importance of supporting genuine efforts to develop basketball at the grassroots and elite levels, and we will continue to provide a professional platform for constructive engagement and wider visibility for initiatives that advance Nigerian sports,” he said.
Part of SWAN delegation were SWAN Secretary-General, Ikenna Victor Okonkwo, and Deputy Secretary-General, Samuel Ahmadu.
Also on the delegation were FCT SWAN Caretaker Chairman, Edwin Akwue; FCT Secretary, Tamara Ebewei; former FCT SWAN Chairman and Chief of Staff to the SWAN President, Chidoka Nwabueze; as well as other FCT SWAN members, including Slyvanus Ofekun, Ralph Ekpang and Tolulope Oguntimehin.
Ikenna Okonkwo
Secretary-General, SWAN
September 21, 2026
