In a dramatic escalation of tensions with football authorities, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has decreed a total media blackout on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The directive compels all SWAN members across the country to refrain from covering or participating in any NFF event, including the upcoming Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Why the Boycott?

In a joint statement signed by SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin and Secretary‑General Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo, the association condemned the exclusion of sports journalists from NFF’s statutory governance structures.

According to SWAN, despite repeated efforts to collaborate, the Federation has persistently sidelined the media in its decision‑making processes.

SWAN described this exclusion as “unacceptable, retrogressive, and an affront to the role of the sporting media in national football development.”

The association also warned of enforcement actions, with a task force to be set up to monitor compliance.

What SWAN Demands

SWAN is demanding recognition and inclusion in the NFF Congress, the body that governs decisions around Nigeria’s football policies.

It argues that without media participation, transparency is undermined, and public trust in the sport’s governance remains fragile.

In its statement, SWAN also announced that it will begin compiling and publishing evidence of the alleged maladministration within the Federation, linking it to Nigeria’s disappointing record in World Cup qualifications.