The signing of an improved contract between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is expected to be concluded once FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announce a Normalisation Committee to oversee Nigerian football, a reliable source has disclosed.

According to the source, the proposed committee will assume the full responsibilities of the NFF board, including the authority to finalise and sign Chelle’s new contract.

“The Normalisation Committee will function as a full board and perform all the responsibilities assigned to the board, not excluding signing Eric Chelle’s new contract,” the source revealed.

Chelle has reportedly expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in formalising his improved deal, particularly with Nigeria's preparations for the two legged 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounters against Tanzania.

The NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC) had earlier reached an agreement to increase the Franco-Malian tactician’s monthly salary to $75,000, alongside an additional responsibility of guiding Nigeria’s U-23 national team to secure qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

However, the proposed contract renewal was stalled following the mass resignation of key NFF officials, including former president Ibrahim Gusau and General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, creating an administrative vacuum within the country's football governing body.

Chelle, who initially signed a two year contract, is expected to see his current deal expire at the end of 2026. 

The anticipated appointment of the FIFA-CAF Normalisation Committee is therefore seen as a crucial step towards resolving the administrative uncertainty and concluding negotiations over his improved contract.