FIFA, CAF Split NFF Reform Talks Into Batches, Meet FA Chairmen, Electoral Committee, Players

The ongoing consultations between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on proposed reforms to Nigerian football governance took a new turn on Monday as the world football governing bodies held separate sessions with key stakeholders.

The consultations, which were initially expected to culminate in a general meeting with NFF Congress members after an earlier engagement with NFF officials, were instead divided into batches, with different football constituencies meeting the FIFA and CAF representatives separately.

State Football Association chairmen, members of the NFF Electoral Committee, representatives of the players’ union and other stakeholders were among those invited for the separate sessions as the consultations continued in Abuja.

The change in arrangement meant that Congress members and other stakeholders did not meet FIFA and CAF officials as one group, as had been indicated in the earlier itinerary circulated to Congress members.
A member of the NFF Electoral Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the officials sought clarification on the committee’s preparedness for the proposed NFF election as well as its position on the reform process.

According to the source, the committee maintained that it was ready to conduct the election as scheduled.

“They asked me if we are ready for the election and I told them yes, my committee is ready to conduct the elections as planned,” the source said.

“They also asked what my position was on the reform. I told them that the clamour for reform started because Nigeria did not qualify for the World Cup, and that there should be clarity on the reform and change of leadership.”

The comments highlight one of the central issues surrounding the current crisis in Nigerian football administration, with the proposed reforms coming against the backdrop of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria’s failure to secure a place at the tournament has intensified calls from several stakeholders for fundamental changes to the administration and governance of football in the country.

The Super Eagles were eliminated by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African play-off final after a penalty shoot-out, ending Nigeria’s hopes of appearing at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Babangida, Iloenyosi, Jalla join reform talks

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles stars Tijani Babangida and Chikelue Iloenyosi, alongside players’ union leader Harrison Jalla, have emerged as representatives of the professional players’ constituency in the ongoing consultations.

The trio are expected to present the views and concerns of professional footballers, both current and former, as FIFA and CAF engage Nigerian football stakeholders on the proposed reforms.
Their involvement gives the players’ constituency a direct presence in discussions that could determine the future structure and administration of the NFF.

Babangida and Iloenyosi, both former Nigeria internationals, bring experience from their playing careers, while Jalla represents the players’ union and has been vocal on issues concerning the welfare and rights of professional footballers.

Their participation is expected to ensure that the interests of players form part of the wider discussions on restructuring Nigerian football administration.

The consultations are taking place amid heightened uncertainty over the NFF’s electoral process and the wider governance structure of Nigerian football.

The NFF had previously scheduled its elective Congress for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, but the process has been thrown into fresh uncertainty following the resignation of former NFF president Ibrahim Gusau and other developments surrounding the proposed reforms.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has also been pushing for reforms aimed at improving the governance of Nigerian football, while FIFA and CAF have been engaging the Federal Government, the NSC and football stakeholders over the way forward.

The international football bodies are expected to hear from the different constituencies before determining the next steps in the reform process.

The latest batch-by-batch consultations therefore provide FIFA and CAF with separate perspectives from state FA chairmen, electoral officials, players’ representatives and other members of the football community.

The discussions were still ongoing at the time of filing this report, with further consultations involving NFF Congress members and other stakeholders expected as FIFA and CAF officials continue their engagements in Abuja.