Akwa Ibom Govt Dissolves Management of Akwa United and Others in Major Football Shake-Up
Official shake-up as Akwa Ibom dissolves club boards over poor results and mismanagement.
State vows fresh start with better leadership to rebuild football across all four teams.
The Akwa Ibom State Government has formally dissolved the management boards of all of its affiliated football clubs as part of a comprehensive overhaul of state-owned football administration. Akwa United FC, Dakkada FC, Ibom Youth FC, and Ibom Angels FC are among the impacted teams.
The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey, during a strategic meeting held in Uyo with representatives of the clubs. This move signals the government’s intent to restructure and revitalize the performance and governance of its football institutions following recent underwhelming results.
The directive affects four major clubs:
- Akwa United FC, a former champion of the President’s Federation Cup and regular contender in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL),
- Dakkada FC and Ibom Youth FC, both of whom compete in the Nigeria National League (NNL),
- Ibom Angels FC, which represents the state in the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL).
According to Elder Bassey, the dissolution takes immediate effect, and all outgoing management officials are expected to prepare and submit comprehensive handover documents to the ministry within two weeks.
While the government has not yet named any interim or replacement committees, the move is understood to be part of a broader strategy to reposition Akwa Ibom’s football sector for improved competitiveness, transparency, and organizational efficiency.
Insiders within the football community have noted that the decision, although drastic, may have been spurred by the declining fortunes of most of the clubs under state management. Of the four teams, Ibom Youth, Dakkada, and Ibom Angels all failed to qualify for playoff contention in their respective leagues this season, an outcome viewed as underperformance by stakeholders and fans alike.
Akwa United, despite its historic success and stronger brand identity, has also had an inconsistent campaign and has not lived up to the lofty expectations set by its title-winning past. With rising pressure from fans and sporting stakeholders, calls for a revamp of management had been growing louder in recent months.
Elder Bassey emphasized the state government’s commitment to reviving sporting excellence in Akwa Ibom, noting that the decision to disband the management boards was not punitive but corrective. He reiterated the ministry’s readiness to bring in experienced professionals and technocrats who can reposition the teams for both domestic and international success.
The commissioner further stressed the need for accountability and proper record-keeping, instructing all outgoing officials to cooperate fully with the transition process and ensure smooth handovers.
“The state government remains committed to supporting sports as a tool for youth empowerment and community development,” Bassey said. “We believe that a more robust and transparent management structure will give our football clubs the edge they need to thrive again.”
The sports ministry has promised to release more details regarding the next steps, including new appointments and structural changes, in the coming weeks.
The dissolution has stirred varied reactions among fans and sports commentators. While some have applauded the bold decision as a step in the right direction, others are cautiously optimistic, urging the government to ensure that new appointments are based on merit and professional track records rather than political affiliations.
With this shake-up, Akwa Ibom joins a growing list of Nigerian states taking proactive measures to reform football administration at subnational levels. Stakeholders are hopeful that this bold move will lay the groundwork for a more competitive and professionally run football environment in the state.
