The Nigeria Association of National Professional Footballers (NANPF) has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make safety and fan comfort their top priority as Nigeria begins its FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign – www.naijnaira.com reports.
CSP Chijioke Kalu, who serves as Director of Player Safety and Security at NANPF, made the call in Abuja on Friday, according to NAN.
He emphasized that stadiums hosting these qualifiers must meet global safety benchmarks for families, children, and people with disabilities.
“This is the last weekend of the school holiday. Families, especially children, should be able to access the stadium in a safe and welcoming way,” Kalu explained.
To improve safety, he recommended visible signs, child-friendly zones, and dedicated seating areas designed to ease family attendance.
Kalu also advised the NFF to deploy a Progressive Web App that provides fans with real-time maps, accessible routes, emergency contacts, and quick support features.
“Everyone, regardless of age or ability should be able to enjoy the beautiful game with dignity and confidence,” he added.
He called for emergency readiness, including joint drills with the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, and medical teams to manage both health incidents and crowd control.
Kalu described Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as impressive but warned that ticketing and navigation systems must rise to international standards.
He also urged the federation to embrace technology to streamline ticketing, boost security, and improve the overall fan journey.
According to him, trained volunteers at key entrances and exits will help reduce congestion and guarantee smoother stadium access.
“This will ensure seamless movement for all categories of fans and create a secure environment for players and spectators,” he stated.
The Super Eagles will meet Rwanda on Saturday in Uyo before traveling to South Africa on Tuesday for another 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Article updated 1 month ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
