Basic Reasons Why Hon(Dr) Prince Suleiman Yahaya Kwande Should Return To The NFF And Mount The Seat Of The North Central Of The NFF Executive Committee

Basic Reasons Why Hon(Dr) Prince Suleiman Yahaya Kwande Should Return To The NFF And Mount The Seat Of The North Central Of The NFF Executive Committee

The contest for the North Central seat on the NFF Executive Committee should be about more than personalities or political calculations; it should be about who has the experience, network and practical understanding to advance the interests of the zone and Nigerian football. Dr. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande presents himself as a candidate with a proven record in football administration, having been involved in the Nigeria Football Federation’s national leadership structure for many years and currently serving as Chairman of the Plateau State Football Association. His experience predates his present position, giving him an institutional understanding of the NFF and the realities of football administration that few candidates can match. His long involvement in national football affairs, including service on the NFF Executive Committee, demonstrates that he is not coming to the table as a newcomer.

Since taking charge of the Plateau FA, Kwande has pursued a development-oriented agenda focused on grassroots football, youth talent identification, competitions, coaching development and wider participation. His administration has supported talent-discovery initiatives, including the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, while promoting broader opportunities through grassroots competitions, women’s football, five-a-side football and beach soccer. Plans to strengthen football activities across the state’s 17 local government areas further demonstrate his belief that football development must reach communities and not remain concentrated in a few established centres. This is the kind of grassroots-focused experience that can be taken from Plateau to the wider North Central.

For the North Central, his candidacy represents an opportunity to secure experienced, connected and purposeful representation at the NFF. The zone has enormous football potential across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and the FCT, but that potential requires effective representation, strategic engagement and a voice capable of translating the concerns of the zone into national football policy. Kwande understands the politics of football administration, the realities of grassroots development and the importance of building relationships across the football family. He can therefore enter the NFF Executive Committee not merely as a delegate, but as an advocate for the collective football interests of the North Central and a bridge between the grassroots and national administration.

At this critical moment for Nigerian football, the North Central should choose experience over experimentation, capacity over empty promises and proven engagement over political rhetoric. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande brings years of football-administration experience, national exposure and a current record of grassroots engagement in Plateau State. His election would provide the zone with a representative capable of pushing for stronger competitions, talent development, improved infrastructure, coaching opportunities, women’s football and greater investment in grassroots football. The North Central deserves a strong and experienced voice at the NFF table and Suleiman Yahaya Kwande has the experience, network and football-development record to be that voice.