The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League, with immediate effect, as the 2026/27 season began on Friday.

The announcement came on the same day Shooting Stars hosted newly promoted Inter Lagos at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan in the opening fixture.

Abdulrahaman’s appointment followed a Thursday directive requiring board members and chief executive officers of the domestic leagues, as well as chief operating officers who are not NFF staff, to vacate their positions.

The move is part of a wider restructuring of football administration in the country.

Interim NFF General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme confirmed the appointment, saying it was made to ensure continuity as clubs begin the new campaign. Abdulrahaman, who holds a doctorate in sports administration, will oversee the operational running of the NPFL during the transition.

The change comes after recent leadership resignations at the NFF and a National Sports Commission directive that league administration be handed to operating officers drawn from federation staff.