The Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association (Kwara FA), Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya, has received a major boost in his quest for a seat on the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following the endorsement and support of Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Governor AbdulRazaq has demonstrated his confidence in Thuraya’s leadership by purchasing the nomination form for the Kwara FA Chairman ahead of the 2026 NFF Elective Congress, scheduled to hold on September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Thuraya is contesting to represent the North Central geopolitical zone on the NFF Board, a position regarded as strategic in shaping football administration and development across the country.
The Governor’s gesture is seen as a strong vote of confidence in Thuraya’s contributions to football development in Kwara State and his capacity to represent the interests of the North Central region at the highest level of Nigerian football administration.
If elected, Thuraya would become Kwara State’s representative on the NFF Board after other states in the North Central zone had previously occupied the position. Former occupants include Kogi State’s Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Plateau State’s Suleiman Kwande, Nasarawa State’s Mohammed Alkali, Niger State’s Suleiman David and Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, as well as Benue State’s Margaret Icheen.
The bid is expected to place Kwara State in a stronger position within the nation’s football hierarchy, opening doors for greater influence in football policy formulation, increased opportunities to attract national football programmes and competitions to the state, enhanced support for grassroots football development, improved access to football development initiatives, and stronger collaboration with national and international football stakeholders.
Its also believed that Thuraya’s presence on the NFF Board would provide Kwara with a stronger voice in decisions, while further complementing Governor AbdulRazaq’s sustained investment in sports development.
Governor AbdulRazaq has consistently demonstrated his commitment to sports, providing support for athletes, administrators and teams representing the state at national and international competitions.
Only recently, the Governor sponsored Thuraya’s trip to Morocco to witness and support the Super Falcons at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), a gesture widely applauded by football stakeholders as another demonstration of his passion for sports development.
Reacting to the Governor’s support, Thuraya expressed profound appreciation, describing the endorsement as a great honour and a challenge to continue serving football with integrity, dedication and vision.
He thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for his unwavering confidence in him and for his consistent commitment to the growth of sports in Kwara State.
According to Thuraya, the Governor’s decision to purchase his nomination form reflects not only personal confidence in his ability but also the administration’s desire to see Kwara occupy its rightful place in the leadership of Nigerian football.
He pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by working tirelessly for the advancement of football, the North Central zone and the country if elected into the NFF Board.
Thuraya also called on football stakeholders across Kwara State, including club owners, coaches, referees, players, supporters’ groups, sports administrators and lovers of the game—to unite behind the aspiration, stressing that the contest transcends personal ambition.
“This is a collective project for Kwara State and the North Central. It is an opportunity to give our state a stronger voice in Nigerian football administration. I therefore appeal to all stakeholders to close ranks and support this bid so that together we can attract greater opportunities for football development to Kwara,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive leadership and promised to work with all stakeholders to ensure that football in Kwara continues to grow from the grassroots to the elite level while contributing meaningfully to the overall development of the game in Nigeria.
