As the 2026 Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election gathers momentum, the chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed, has received significant backing from a prominent grassroots administrator in his quest for election to Nigeria’s governing body for football.
This endorsement for Hajji Gafar was made by none other than Pastor Oscar Ezinwa Emmanuel, the secretary-general of the Nigerian Grassroots Football Federation (NGFF), who expressed that he has long recognised the capable administrator’s talents.
Pastor Oscar’s endorsement comes following Gafar’s official announcement of his candidacy for the position of South West representative on the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during the upcoming elective congress in Abuja next month.
In a press release titled ‘The best and well-prepared man for the job,’ Oscar articulated his support for Gafar, emphasising that the LSFA leader’s impressive track record speaks for itself and encouraged all stakeholders to cast their votes for him next month.
‘TM’ Oscar elaborated extensively in the insights shared by Sports247.
“I would like to use this medium to draw support for Alhaji Liameed Gafar’s application to be an executive committee member in the incoming board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). I have worked with Alhaji Gafar in many football projects for over two decades, and I know that he has the skills, love, dedication, devotion and, above all, experience to fulfil such a position with confidence.
“He has great enthusiasm and commitment to the development of football in Nigeria, as evidenced through his work with Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) as well as with other organisations and projects, especially 36 Lion FC in the domestic league.
“In his capacity as the founder of 36 Lion FC and chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Alhaji Gafar has demonstrated his ability in dealing with all aspects of football organisation and administration. His efforts also include liaison with grassroots football stakeholders and helping coaches to upgrade their knowledge with modern techniques.”
The NGFF scribe went on to commend Gafar for his remarkable one-on-one efforts in supporting young coaches as well as encouraging budding administrators and referees, many of whom he backs with his personal funds.
Oscar added, “Alhaji Gafar supports young coaches, referees and administrators with his personal resources. He regularly sponsors many of them to courses and refresher seminars for them to meet global standards in football management.
“He also runs a lot of large-scale grassroots tournaments for clubs, coaches, players, referees and administrators to showcase skills that they have acquired from courses. No doubt, he has discovered many talents among players, coaches, administrators and referees who are doing well and contributing to progress in the local league.
“He has also played invaluable roles in the discovery of great talents for our national teams at all levels. In light of all these, I firmly believe that Alhaji Gafar will be a great asset to the Nigeria Football Federation.
“I, therefore, use this medium to appeal to South West football stakeholders to make use of his expertise, links, local connections, international contacts, practical knowledge, management skills, club expertise and talent hunt values.
“He also has a proven track record in matters of football association, tournament organisation, players’ management and coaches’ relations at all levels. People involved in all these areas should lend their support to Alhaji Gafar and vote for him massively.”