The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress will resume discussions in Abuja today as efforts intensify to resolve the lingering crisis surrounding the administration of Nigerian football, Savid News understands. 

Corroborating the developments, Sports Unlimited reports that the meeting comes at a critical stage following the recent engagement between Nigerian football officials and FIFA in Zurich, where discussions centred on governance reforms and a roadmap for restructuring Nigerian football.

FIFA had accepted the resignations of the former NFF president, general secretary and members of the Executive Committee, while further engagement with the Nigerian government, the NSC, NFF and CAF is expected to produce an inclusive and sustainable reform framework. 

However, the proposed process for establishing a normalisation committee has encountered resistance from sections of the NFF Congress, with the status and treatment of the Congress emerging as one of the major sticking points.

Sixteen members of the NFF Congress were reportedly present at Thursday’s meeting with the NSC leadership, led by Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade.

A major issue raised by the Congress members was the decision attributed to the NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, to dissolve or disband the Congress as part of the interim measures following the resignation of the former NFF leadership.

The Congress members reportedly demanded an apology from Ikpeme before substantive discussions could proceed, arguing that the Acting General Secretary lacked the authority to unilaterally dissolve the federation’s highest decision-making body.

The controversy has become particularly significant because the State Football Associations constitute a substantial part of the wider NFF Congress and had previously expressed opposition to the purported dissolution, while stressing that their objection was not necessarily to the proposed reforms or normalisation process. 

Dikko was said to have intervened in an attempt to calm the situation, appealing to the Congress members to forgive Ikpeme and informing them that he had already apologised on behalf of the Acting General Secretary.

The NSC chairman reportedly urged the members to consider the circumstances surrounding the controversial decision and focus on finding a way forward for Nigerian football.

Today’s meeting is expected to concentrate on the modalities for the proposed normalisation committee and the broader reform process. However, sources indicated that the discussions are unlikely to produce an immediate final resolution.

Instead, Congress representatives are expected to consult with the enlarged Congress after today’s engagement before returning with a collective position on the proposed arrangement.

The development underscores the delicate balance facing the NSC as it seeks to implement reforms while securing the cooperation of the NFF’s existing football structures.

The NFF had earlier announced the suspension of preparations for its September 27 elective congress as part of interim measures following the mass resignations. The federation said a fresh electoral process would commence after the anticipated reforms and consultations with FIFA and CAF. 

The proposed normalisation process has also remained subject to further discussions. Although FIFA has endorsed continued engagement on a comprehensive reform roadmap, available official accounts indicate that the roadmap is still being fine-tuned rather than presenting a completed structure for the new administration. 

The latest discussions have therefore assumed added importance, particularly with a September 7 deadline reportedly attached to the Nigerian delegation’s follow-up discussions with FIFA.

Sources hinted SavidNews that the outstanding issues surrounding the proposed normalisation committee are expected to be addressed on or before Monday, September 7.

With the FIFA engagement already setting the reform process in motion, the NSC is now faced with the task of reconciling the proposed changes with the concerns of the NFF Congress and other stakeholders.

The outcome of the consultations could determine the next phase of Nigerian football administration, including the composition and mandate of any normalisation arrangement and the eventual pathway towards fresh NFF elections.