RismadarVoice Reporters, April 19, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of renowned sports administrator and community leader, Ibrahim Galadima, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 78.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President paid tribute to Galadima’s decades-long service to both Kano State and the nation at large.
Galadima, a Kano-born administrator, held several key positions during his lifetime, including Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council and commissioner. He also contributed significantly at the federal level in various sports administration roles.
Notably, he served as president of the defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA) from 2002 to 2006, a period regarded as pivotal in the evolution of football governance in the country. The NFA later transitioned into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Following his retirement from public service, Galadima continued to serve his community after being turbaned as the Galadiman Fagge, assuming leadership responsibilities in the Fagge area of Kano.
President Tinubu described his passing as a significant loss to Nigeria’s sports sector and the nation as a whole, noting that Galadima’s contributions to the development of football both at grassroots and elite levels would remain enduring.
The President extended his condolences to the Galadima family, the government and people of Kano State, as well as the wider sports community in Nigeria and beyond.
