FIFA Accepts Gusau, NFF Board Resignations; Backs Nigeria’s Football Reform Roadmap

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, with the world body, Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) beginning discussions on sweeping reforms in Nigerian football.

The development followed a high-level meeting on Tuesday at FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland, involving FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the interim NFF administration.

The NFF Interim Deputy General Secretary, Dr Ademola Olajire, disclosed that FIFA had accepted the resignations and agreed to continue engagements with the Nigerian Government, the NFF and CAF towards developing a comprehensive roadmap for the reform of the country’s football administration.
According to Olajire, the proposed roadmap will cover the short-, medium-, and long-term development of Nigerian football, with the objective of creating an inclusive, stable, and well-structured NFF 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.

Gusau resigned last week, alongside other members of the NFF Executive Committee, following growing pressure for fundamental changes in the administration and development of Nigerian football.
The federation has since established an interim administrative structure, with Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme serving as Acting General Secretary and Olajire as Interim Deputy General Secretary.

High-level Zurich meeting

The Nigerian delegation to the FIFA meeting was led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and included NSC Director-General Hon. Bukola Olopade, former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick, Ikpeme and NFF Director of Legal Services Okey Obi.

Pinnick attended in his official 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 was also present, alongside FIFA’s Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes.

The talks are expected to determine the direction of the next phase of Nigerian football administration, particularly on issues relating to governance, structure, stability and sporting development.
Dikko said the ongoing consultations would be conducted within the framework of the statutes and regulations of FIFA, CAF, and the NFF.

“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 Nigerian football, including agreeing on a roadmap going forward in accordance with the relevant rules, regulations and Statutes,” Dikko said.

He expressed confidence that the process would produce a stronger football administration.

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

The reform talks come amid a challenging period for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons missed out on qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, ending their uninterrupted participation in the tournament since its inaugural edition in 1991.

With FIFA, CAF, the NSC and the NFF now committed to a reform roadmap, attention will turn to how the process is implemented and whether it can provide the stability and structural changes required to improve Nigeria’s fortunes on the international stage.