The crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has escalated, with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) suspended the federation’s September 27 elective congress and announcing a fact-finding mission to Abuja.
Key Highlights:
- FIFA and CAF suspended the NFF’s September 27 election.
- NFF President and other officials resigned, creating a leadership crisis.
- FIFA is investigating the legality and circumstances of the resignations.
- FIFA and CAF will visit Abuja to meet key stakeholders.
- The NFF’s future leadership remains uncertain.
The move follows the recent resignation of NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi and several members of the federation’s executive committee, developments that have triggered fresh questions over the legality of the federation’s current leadership structure and the future of its electoral process.
FIFA disclosed its position in a letter addressed to the NFF Deputy General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme on Monday, stating that it is still examining communications and submissions from various Nigerian football stakeholders before determining the appropriate way forward.
According to the world football governing body, the review will focus on the circumstances surrounding the resignations, the NFF’s regulatory framework, governance and administrative arrangements, as well as the implications for the proposed election.
The latest development comes after the leadership upheaval that began on August 27, when Gusau and other senior officials resigned amid growing criticism of the state of Nigerian football.
The pressure on the federation intensified following Nigeria’s struggles to qualify for major international competitions, with particular attention drawn to the failure of the country’s senior men’s and women’s teams to secure places at their respective World Cups.
President Bola Tinubu had previously expressed concern over what he described as repeated failures in Nigerian football and called for corrective measures, prompting increased intervention from the National Sports Commission (NSC).
As part of efforts to resolve the crisis, an NSC delegation led by its Chairman, Shehu Dikko, met FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other FIFA officials at FIFA House in Zurich on September 1.
However, the meeting did not produce an immediate resolution.
In its latest communication, FIFA said it has received several submissions concerning the resignations of the NFF president, the executive committee members and general secretary, as well as other representations from stakeholders.
FIFA Director of Member Associations, Mammadov, said the organisation, alongside CAF, need to carefully assess the facts and applicable regulations before taking further action.
The governing body stressed that neither FIFA nor CAF has reached a final conclusion on the crisis or determined what intervention, if any, would follow.
The uncertainty has also raised questions over the possible establishment of a normalisation committee, while the status of Ikpeme remains unclear.
Although the NSC endorsed Ikpeme as acting general secretary, FIFA continued to identify him in its correspondence as deputy general secretary.
The international body, however, instructed him to remain the main channel of communication between the NFF and FIFA and CAF.
The September 27 election is therefore effectively suspended pending the completion of the international bodies’ assessment.
FIFA clarified that the decision to halt the electoral process should not be regarded as an endorsement of any position taken by the stakeholders involved or as a final judgment on the circumstances that produced the crisis.
Read also:
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- NFF Presidential Race: Who Really Qualifies To Lead Nigerian Football? The Candidates, Their Records And The Rules
- Obafemi Martins Backs Seyi Tinubu for NFF Presidency, Calls for Younger Leadership
Instead, FIFA and CAF said the suspension would provide room for further consultations and a clearer assessment of the situation.
The two football bodies are now preparing to send representatives to Abuja, where they are expected to meet key stakeholders, including NFF officials, members of the NFF Congress, electoral bodies and representatives of the National Sports Commission.
The planned mission is expected to provide FIFA and CAF with a clearer understanding of the events that led to the current leadership vacuum and the competing positions of stakeholders.
It will also allow the international bodies to determine whether any aspect of the crisis requires action under FIFA, CAF or NFF regulations.
Following the Abuja meetings, FIFA and CAF will consider whether recommendations or proposals should be presented to their respective competent decision-making bodies.
Until that process is completed, however, the international football authorities have cautioned stakeholders against assuming what the eventual outcome will be.
The future of the NFF leadership, the September 27 election and the possibility of a temporary administrative arrangement therefore remain unresolved as FIFA and CAF begin their next phase of intervention in Abuja.
