FIFA has approved the creation of a normalisation committee to run the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until new executive leaders can be elected, following a leadership crisis that has disrupted the organisation’s administration and electoral process.
The decision was announced by the NFF on Thursday. The committee’s members will be selected jointly by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with the body expected to provide interim leadership and prepare the federation for fresh elections.
In a statement issued by its Communications Department, the NFF said the Bureau of the FIFA Council had authorised the committee’s formation.
A letter from FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom to Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme set out the committee’s responsibilities and the deadline by which its work must be completed.
“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 stated.
The committee will remain in place until it has completed its assigned duties, although its mandate cannot extend beyond 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 added.
Interim officials barred from elections
FIFA has also confirmed that no member of the temporary committee will be allowed to stand for office in the next NFF 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,” it said.
The restriction is intended to ensure that those overseeing the federation during the interim period do not use their positions to seek elected roles.
The NFF secretariat will continue to handle routine administrative work and the day-to-day running of Nigerian football until FIFA and CAF complete the appointments.
Resignations left federation without leadership
The intervention follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the federation’s Executive Committee on August 27, 2026.
The departures came after increased criticism of Nigerian football, including the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The resignations created a leadership vacuum and disrupted plans for the NFF’s executive committee elections, which had been scheduled for September 27.
The normalisation committee will now be responsible for carrying out the duties assigned by FIFA and CAF while working towards the organisation of new elections. Its appointment represents a major intervention in the administration of Nigerian football, with 31 May 2027 set as the final deadline for the process.
