FIFA approves Normalisation Committee to run Nigerian football

FIFA has approved the appointment of a Normalisation Committee to manage the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) pending fresh elections to its Executive Committee, following months of leadership uncertainty and calls for comprehensive reforms.

The NFF announced the decision in a statement, saying the Bureau of the FIFA Council approved the committee’s appointment on Thursday.

According to a letter signed by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and addressed to NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will jointly appoint the committee’s members.

“The normalisation committee shall consist of a suitable number of members, who will be appointed jointly by FIFA and CAF as soon as possible,” the letter said.

FIFA also set a deadline for the committee’s tenure, stating that its mandate would end once it had completed its assigned tasks, but no later than 31 May 2027.

“The period during which the normalisation committee shall perform its functions shall expire as soon as it has fulfilled all of its tasks, but by no later than 31 May 2027,” the letter stated.

The NFF said the committee would oversee the federation pending fresh elections into its Executive Committee. Its members will not be allowed to contest any positions in the forthcoming elections.

“None of the members of the normalisation committee will be eligible for the positions to be filled during the upcoming NFF elections under any circumstances,” the letter stated.

Meanwhile, the NFF Secretariat will continue to handle the federation’s day-to-day administration and run Nigerian football until the committee members are appointed.

Leadership crisis

The decision follows the mass resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee on 27 August.

Mr Gusau resigned 34 days before the end of his four-year tenure, which began after he was elected in Benin City on 30 September 2022.

The resignations triggered a leadership transition and disrupted preparations for the NFF elective congress scheduled for 27 September in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The electoral process was suspended as FIFA and CAF consulted on the federation’s future.

Emmanuel Ikpeme, a former NFF Deputy General Secretary, was appointed acting General Secretary to oversee the Secretariat, while Ademola Olajire became acting Deputy General Secretary.

The crisis unfolded against a difficult period for Nigerian football, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The latter ended Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the women’s tournament since its inception in 1991.

Tinubu’s reform directive

On the day the NFF leadership resigned, President Bola Tinubu ordered comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, calling for changes to governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.

“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” Mr Tinubu said.

He directed National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko to work with the NFF Secretariat and football stakeholders, and to engage appropriately with FIFA and CAF.

Zurich meeting, FIFA-CAF consultations

On 1 September, Mr Dikko led a Nigerian delegation to FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, to discuss the crisis and a reform roadmap.

The delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, acting NFF General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and the federation’s Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi.

CAF 2nd Vice President Kurt-Okraku and FIFA Director of Member Associations for Africa Gelson Fernandes also attended the meeting.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino later said the discussions covered institutional, governance and developmental issues, including ways to strengthen Nigeria’s football structures and create more opportunities for young players.

In a letter dated 7 September, FIFA and CAF directed the NFF to suspend its electoral process while they assessed the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications of the leadership crisis. They also announced plans for a joint assessment mission to Abuja to engage relevant stakeholders.

The approval of the Normalisation Committee marks a new phase in the process, with FIFA and CAF now set to appoint the members who will oversee the federation until its assigned tasks are completed and fresh elections are held.

The committee’s composition and full details of its responsibilities have yet to be announced. Its effectiveness will be measured by its ability to stabilise the NFF, address governance concerns and provide a credible path towards elected leadership.