The Nigeria Football Federation has named Danlami Alanana as the new Chief Operating Officer COO of the Nigeria National League NNL, following the redeployment of Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman to oversee Inter-Club Competitions.
Alanana brings considerable experience to the position. He previously served as the first Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Women’s Football League NWFL and held several within the NFF. These included serving as Secretary of the Referees Committee Unit, the Players and Status Arbitration Committee, and the Match Commissioners Appointment Committee.
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Prior to his latest appointment, Alanana was the Head of the Inter-Clubs Department. His handover ceremony took place on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
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His professional journey has seen him work alongside notable football administrators such as the late Chief Oyuiki Obaseki, Charles Ojugbana, Alhassan Yakmut, and Saliu Abubakar, contributing to the shaping of the Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL.
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Meanwhile, the second stanza of the NNL resumed on Friday, with further fixtures scheduled across the weekend. One match between Kebbi United and Yobe Desert Stars was postponed due to a tragic road accident involving the latter team.
Editorial
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We welcome the appointment of Danlami Alanana as the new COO of the Nigeria National League with cautious optimism. His impressive résumé and long standing service within the NFF suggest that he is well equipped to steer the NNL through its many structural and competitive challenges.
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The league desperately needs stability and innovation. It remains a vital bridge between grassroots and elite football, yet is often marred by poor logistics, inconsistent matchday operations, and financial uncertainty. Alanana’s exposure to different facets of Nigerian football administration could serve him well in addressing these issues from day one.
What stands out is his background with the Women’s League and the Inter-Clubs Department. These roles demand organisational acumen, and if he brings that same focus to the NNL, the league could see a long-overdue upgrade in professionalism and visibility.
We urge Alanana to prioritise transparent communication, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure development. The NNL has long been a sleeping giant perhaps now, under his stewardship, it can finally begin to stir.
Did You Know?
The NNL is Nigeria’s second-tier league and has produced top teams like Remo Stars, Bendel Insurance, and Doma United.
Danlami Alanana was instrumental in the early structuring of the NWFL, Nigeria’s top-tier women’s football competition.
The late Chief Oyuiki Obaseki, one of Alanana’s mentors, was once Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League and a revered football administrator.
The NNL features over 40 clubs divided across geographical zones, making it one of the most logistically demanding leagues in Africa.
The NNL was first introduced in 1992 but has undergone multiple rebranding phases, with consistency in operations being a recurring challenge.