The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed reports suggesting it intends to amend its statutes at the Annual General Assembly scheduled for September 27 in Ibadan, Oyo State, The PUNCH reports.

In a statement on Thursday, the federation said there were “no plans” to alter its governing framework at the meeting, insisting that any suggestions to the contrary were unfounded.

The clarification comes amid mounting criticism of the federation’s leadership, with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria announcing a nationwide boycott of all NFF activities, including the assembly, over its continued exclusion from the NFF Congress.

The NFF explained that a workshop will precede the assembly on September 26, bringing together representatives of its members alongside FIFA and CAF officials. According to the federation, the forum will serve only to deliberate on potential proposals for new statutes in line with global best practices.

“The consultation process is still at an early stage,” the NFF said.

“Only after a common direction is agreed with our members may a General Assembly be convened specifically to consider and adopt proposed statutes.”

The federation reaffirmed its commitment to due process and transparency, pledging to work with FIFA, CAF and its congress members to ensure reforms are conducted properly.

It said its long-term objective is to establish “robust and enduring statutes” that would strengthen governance and improve representation within Nigerian football.

Meanwhile, SWAN has condemned its exclusion from the NFF Congress as “unacceptable and retrogressive”, arguing that the sporting media plays a vital role in football development.

In a statement signed by its president, Isaiah Benjamin, and secretary-general, Ikenna Okonkwo, the association accused the NFF leadership of sidelining the press while presiding over a period of decline in Nigerian football.

“The continued decline of Nigerian football is a direct result of maladministration. It is time to put a decisive end to this dangerous trend,” the statement said.

SWAN had instructed its members to withdraw from all NFF activities, setting up a task force to enforce the boycott and promising to expose what it described as “backward practices” in the management of the game. But on Thursday evening, the association announced it had relaxed the nationwide boycott following assurances from the NFF that there were no immediate plans to amend the statutes at the Ibadan assembly.

In a new statement, SWAN president Isaiah Benjamin said the clarification provided “a fresh opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue for the overall good of Nigerian football”. He added that the association would remain committed to pushing for inclusivity and recognition of the media constituency within the NFF structure, while embracing dialogue “where sincerity and transparency are evident”.

Benjamin stressed that SWAN’s ultimate concern was the development and credibility of Nigerian football, noting that the association was optimistic both bodies could now “work together in good faith to advance reforms that will guarantee inclusivity and restore public confidence in the governance of Nigerian football”.