FIFA backs Nigeria's football reset, support transition plan
World football governing body FIFA has backed Nigeria’s ongoing football reform process following a high level meeting with officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Zurich, Switzerland.
The Tuesday meeting focused on the future administration of Nigerian football following the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and several members of the federation’s executive board on August 27, 2026.
The Nigerian delegation was led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade, alongside former NFF President Amaju Pinnick. Acting NFF General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the federation’s Head of Legal, Barrister Obi, and other senior officials were also part of the delegation.
Sources familiar with the discussions disclosed that FIFA expressed support for the reform agenda initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with both sides agreeing on a transition framework designed to restore stability and strengthen the administration of football in Nigeria.
Under the proposed arrangement, an interim Normalisation Committee will be constituted to oversee the affairs of the NFF for between three and six months.
The committee will be mandated to review and amend the NFF Statutes in line with FIFA governance standards, establish an independent Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeals Committee, and organise a fresh electoral process to produce a new NFF executive board.
The Normalisation Committee is also expected to manage the day to day affairs of Nigerian football throughout the transition before handing over to a newly elected leadership.
The FIFA backed framework is regarded as a major step towards resolving the leadership crisis within the NFF, while protecting Nigeria’s continued participation in international competitions and ensuring that the country’s football administration conforms with global governance principles.
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