Tinubu leads tributes as Nigerians mourn iconic Galadima

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has led the nation in mourning the passing of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and a titan of Nigerian sports administration.

 Alhaji Galadima, who also served as the Galadiman Fagge in Kano State, passed away on Saturday at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy that spanned nearly five decades of public service.

​In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed profound sadness, describing Galadima’s death as a monumental loss to the sporting industry and the nation at large. The President lauded Galadima’s contributions to the development of Nigerian football at both the grassroots and elite levels, noting that his dedication to community leadership and sports set a high standard for public service. He extended his deepest condolences to the family, the government and people of Kano State, and the entire Nigerian sports community.

​Echoing the President’s sentiments, the National Sports Commission (NSC) described Galadima’s passing as a profound loss to the industry.

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 The Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, characterized the late administrator as a mentor and a selfless patriot who consistently placed national interest above personal gain. Dikko recalled working closely with Galadima during his tenure as NFA Chairman between 2002 and 2006, a period that saw the activation of FIFA Goal projects and landmark collaborations with the English Premier League. He revealed that the NSC had been in continuous consultation with Galadima as part of President Tinubu’s current mandate to reset the nation's sporting sector.

​The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, also expressed deep grief, describing Galadima as an epitome of dignity and integrity.

Born in 1948 according to the family, Galadima’s career was defined by versatility; he served as a two-time commissioner in Kano State, where he was instrumental in founding Kano Pillars Football Club, and held significant national roles including First Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

​Beyond his administrative feats, Galadima was a revered community leader who served his people as the Galadiman Fagge.

His transition marks the end of an era for a man who believed deeply in the power of sports as a tool for national unity. The Federal Government and the sporting fraternity collectively prayed for the repose of his soul, noting that his impact would continue to resonate across generations of Nigerian athletes and administrators.