Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has lost his bid for re-election to the FIFA Council, finishing just one vote short at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Assembly held in Cairo on March 12, 2025. Pinnick secured 28 votes, while both Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania and Souleiman Waberi of Djibouti received 29 votes, thus claiming the final available seats.
The election was competitive, with Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa leading with 49 votes, followed by Egypt’s Hani Abou Rida and Niger’s Djibrilla Hima, each with 35 votes. Pinnick’s loss marks a significant setback for him, as he had been a member of the FIFA Council since 2021 and sought to extend his influence within global football governance.
The results indicate a shift in African football leadership dynamics, as Pinnick was the third Nigerian to hold a seat on the FIFA Council, following Etubom Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu.
