NFF crisis: FIFA delays approval of Normalisation Committee, plans Nigeria visit

The crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has entered a new phase after FIFA withheld immediate approval for Nigeria’s proposed Normalisation Committee, opting instead to send a delegation to the country for further consultations and assessment.

The development followed a high-level meeting between a Nigerian delegation led by National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday.

The meeting was convened against the backdrop of the mass resignation of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF board, following mounting pressure over the state of Nigerian football.

Gusau, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee resigned from their positions on August 27, creating a leadership vacuum at the country’s football governing body.

The resignations came after 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 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending their record of appearing at every edition of the women’s tournament since its inception in 1991.

The setbacks triggered widespread calls for fundamental reforms of the administration of Nigerian football.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu subsequently directed the relevant authorities to undertake a comprehensive reform of the sector, with the NSC taking the lead in developing proposals for restructuring the NFF and improving the governance of Nigerian football.

One of the key proposals was the establishment of a Normalisation Committee to temporarily administer the affairs of the NFF, implement agreed reforms and organise a fresh election for a new leadership.

That proposal formed a major part of the Nigerian delegation’s discussions with FIFA in Zurich.

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The delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and NFF Director of Legal Affairs Okey Obi. Former NFF President and former FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick also participated in the meeting in his capacity as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee.

CAF Second Vice President Kurt Okraku and FIFA Director of Member Associations for Africa Gelson Fernandes were also involved in the discussions.

Although the talks were described as fruitful, FIFA did not immediately ratify the proposed Normalisation Committee.

Instead, FIFA and the Nigerian delegation agreed to continue discussions on a comprehensive reform roadmap covering the short, medium and long term.

A FIFA delegation is expected to visit Nigeria as part of the next stage of the process. The visit is expected to enable the world football governing body to engage more directly with Nigerian football stakeholders and assess the proposed reform structure before taking a final position on the Normalisation Committee.

The decision means that the committee remains a proposal under consideration and has not yet become an officially ratified FIFA intervention.

FIFA is also expected to have significant input into the eventual selection of members of the committee if the proposed arrangement is approved.

Potential members would be expected to undergo integrity and eligibility checks consistent with the standards applicable to officials and administrators within the FIFA football family.

The involvement of FIFA in the selection process is expected to be particularly important because any transitional arrangement must operate within the framework of FIFA statutes and regulations governing the autonomy and administration of national football associations.

The proposed duration of the Normalisation Committee also remains uncertain.

Initial reports suggested that the committee could remain in place for approximately three months, primarily to stabilise the NFF, implement urgent reforms and organise fresh elections.

However, emerging reports indicate that the transition could last considerably longer if FIFA, CAF and Nigerian authorities determine that the reform process requires additional time. Some reports have suggested a possible period of between six months and one year.

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There is, however, no official confirmation that FIFA has approved a six-month or one-year tenure. The duration is still expected to form part of the discussions surrounding the final reform roadmap.

Attention has also turned to the possible leadership of the proposed committee.

One of the names being widely mentioned is AbdulHakeem Uthman Mustapha, SAN, a Nigerian lawyer with experience in football administration and international football structures.

Mustapha has been reported as one of the leading candidates for the chairmanship of the proposed Normalisation Committee, although FIFA and the NFF have not officially confirmed his appointment.

His involvement in FIFA’s committee structure could strengthen his credentials for a transitional role. Mustapha is a member of FIFA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee, giving him direct exposure to the organisation’s international football administration framework.

He has also previously served as President of the CAF Appeal Committee, further linking him to the judicial and administrative structures of African football.

Other names have reportedly been mentioned in connection with the proposed committee, including former NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, former Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Silas Agara and Rivers State Attorney-General Chris Green.

The circulation of several names highlights the fact that the final composition of the proposed committee remains unsettled.

The focus of the reform process is also expected to go beyond replacing the officials who resigned.

The proposed transition could involve a review of the NFF electoral system, governance structures and administrative processes, with the broader objective of creating a more transparent, accountable and stable football administration.

There have also been discussions about whether future elections should be reorganised to strengthen grassroots participation, including possible changes to the sequence and structure of elections at local, state and national levels.

Any significant changes to the NFF electoral framework would require careful consultation with FIFA and CAF to ensure that they comply with international football regulations.

The latest FIFA-Nigeria engagement has also helped ease concerns about a possible immediate suspension of Nigeria from international football.

A purported FIFA letter had recently circulated, claiming that the world football governing body was demanding explanations over the circumstances surrounding the NFF leadership resignations and threatening possible sanctions.

The NFF dismissed the document as fake, insisting that it did not emanate from FIFA.

The federation subsequently confirmed that FIFA had accepted the resignations of Gusau, Sanusi and the other principal officers and Executive Committee members.

FIFA’s decision to continue discussions with Nigerian authorities instead of immediately imposing sanctions has further shifted attention towards the reform process.

For Nigerian football stakeholders, the forthcoming FIFA visit could therefore be decisive.

The delegation is expected to examine the proposed reform framework and provide further clarity on the NFF Normalisation Committee, including its composition, mandate, duration and relationship with the existing football administration.

Until FIFA formally approves the arrangement, however, individuals being mentioned for positions on the committee should not be regarded as confirmed appointees.

The situation also means that the previously planned NFF electoral process is likely to remain subject to the outcome of the reform discussions.

The ultimate objective of the exercise is to use the current leadership crisis as an opportunity to rebuild Nigerian football administration, restore confidence among stakeholders and establish stronger structures capable of supporting the development of the country’s national teams and domestic game.

With FIFA now directly involved in the reform discussions, the coming weeks could determine the direction of Nigerian football and whether the proposed Normalisation Committee becomes the vehicle for a broader restructuring of the NFF.

For Nigeria, the challenge will be to ensure that the reform process produces not only a new leadership but also lasting institutional changes that can improve governance, development and performance across the country’s football system.

NFF crisis: FIFA delays approval of Normalisation Committee, plans Nigeria visit