Former Nigerian Football Association Chairman Ibrahim Galadima Dies at 78
Kano, Nigeria — Ibrahim Galadima, a prominent Nigerian sports administrator and traditional leader, has died at the age of 78, his family confirmed on Saturday. Galadima, who served as chairman of the defunct Nigerian Football Association (NFA), passed away at a hospital in Kano metropolis after a period of illness.
His younger brother, Abba Galadima, announced the death in a brief statement, describing the loss as deeply painful. “He devoted his life to public service, community leadership, and the growth of football administration in Nigeria,” Abba said.
A respected figure in both sports governance and traditional leadership, Galadima held the title of Galadiman Fagge, a chieftaincy position within the Kano Emirate. He also served as Commissioner for Works in Kano State and later as chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, where he championed sports development initiatives at the grassroots and state levels.
The late administrator was widely known for his integrity, disciplined leadership style, and commitment to advancing football across Nigeria. His tenure at the NFA, which ended in 2006, was marked by efforts to reform and modernize the country’s football administration amid internal disputes and governance challenges.
Funeral arrangements have been announced. The funeral prayer (Janazah) will be held on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano, followed by burial in accordance with Islamic rites. Family members, associates, and well-wishers are expected to attend.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” Abba Galadima said in his statement.
Tributes have begun to pour in from across the Nigerian sports community, with colleagues remembering him as a disciplined administrator and elder statesman who played a key role in shaping the country’s football landscape. His contributions to sports development, public service, and traditional leadership have left a lasting legacy in Kano State and beyond.
