FIFA Accepts Gusau’s Resignation, Backs Fresh Roadmap For Nigeria Football Reforms

World football governing body FIFA has formally accepted the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and other principal officers of the federation, as consultations begin on a comprehensive reform roadmap for Nigerian football.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday by the NFF’s Interim Deputy General Secretary, Dr Ademola Olajire, following a high-level meeting involving FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the NFF administration at FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland.

FIFA, according to Olajire, also agreed to continue engaging the Nigerian Government, the NFF and CAF to fine-tune a framework for reforms covering the short, medium and long-term development of the country’s football administration.

The meeting resolved that the reform process should lead to the emergence of an inclusive and properly structured NFF, supported by a peaceful and stable operating environment capable of delivering improved results both on and off the pitch.

“The engagements and interactions will continue to fine-tune a roadmap that will ensure the delivery of the expected reforms both in the short, medium and long term, and to ensure that an inclusive new NFF emerges going forward, with the enabling environment, peaceful and stable to be in position to deliver success both on and off the pitch for the benefit and growth of Nigeria Football,” Olajire said.

The development follows Gusau’s resignation last week, alongside other members of the NFF Executive Committee, amid growing calls for far-reaching changes in the administration and development of Nigerian football.

The NFF has subsequently put in place an interim administrative arrangement, with Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme serving as Acting General Secretary, while Olajire operates as Interim Deputy General Secretary.

The Zurich meeting was attended by a high-powered Nigerian delegation led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko. The delegation included NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick, who attended in his official capacity as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee, as well as Ikpeme and NFF Director of Legal Services Okey Obi.

CAF’s delegation included its second Vice-President Kurt-Okraku, while FIFA was represented by its Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes.

The talks are expected to shape the next phase of Nigerian football administration, with stakeholders seeking reforms that will address structural, administrative and sporting challenges affecting the game.

Dikko said the ongoing engagement was necessary to ensure that the reform process complied with the relevant FIFA, CAF and NFF statutes and regulations.

“Mutual engagement among the National Sports Commission, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigeria football, including agreeing a roadmap going forward in accordance with the relevant rules, regulations and Statutes,” Dikko said.

He expressed confidence that the process would ultimately strengthen the country’s football administration.

“There is no doubt Nigeria Football will emerge much better and properly-structured after the conclusion of this process,” he added.

The latest development comes at a difficult period for Nigerian football, with the country facing mounting concerns over the performance of its national teams and the administration of the sport.

The Super Eagles missed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup — their first absence from the tournament since its inception in 1991.

The reform process will therefore be closely watched as FIFA, CAF, the NSC and the NFF work towards establishing a new administrative framework aimed at restoring stability and improving Nigeria’s fortunes on the international stage.