Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Nigeria Football Association (now Nigeria Football Federation) President, Ibrahim Galadima, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74.
Galadima, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected sports administrators, served as President of the then NFA between 2002 and 2006.
His tenure came after years of distinguished service in various capacities within Nigerian sports administration.
President of the NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed deep sorrow over Galadima’s passing, describing it as a significant loss to Nigerian football.
“This is another one that hit us hard. Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima was a mentor to so many of us who are in various leadership positions in Nigeria sports today. He was the epitome of high dignity, diligence and integrity,” Gusau said.
“We will miss his fatherly advice and words of wisdom dearly. Our prayer is that the Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and grant the family he has left behind and the Nigeria football family the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
Born on June 14, 1951, in Kano, Galadima dedicated much of his life to the development of sports in Nigeria.
He began his administrative career as Chairman of the Kano State Football Association from 1977 to 1979, before serving as Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council between 1981 and 1983.
He also served as a member of the Caretaker Committee of the National Sports Commission in 1984 and later rose to become 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee between 1985 and 1987.
In the late 1980s, Galadima held political appointments as Commissioner for Social Welfare, Youth and Sports, and later Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport in Kano State.
He was also a member of the Presidential Monitoring Committee for stadia development ahead of the FIFA World Youth Championship 1995, which Nigeria was initially scheduled to host before it was later moved.
When the country eventually hosted the tournament in 1999, Galadima served as Chairman of the Kano sub-seat.
His death marks the end of an era in Nigerian sports administration, with tributes expected to pour in from across the football fraternity.
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