FIFA, CAF mission set for Abuja over NFF crisis

By Tosin Omojola 

FIFA and CAF officials are expected in Abuja next week to assess the leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and discuss reforms.

The visit follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, Executive Committee members and the General Secretariat, creating what National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko called a legal vacuum.

The NFF electoral process has been suspended pending FIFA and CAF’s review of the legal, governance and electoral implications.

FIFA confirmed that the joint mission would meet NFF officials, federation members, electoral bodies and the Federal Government, including the NSC.

Dikko said Nigeria had submitted proposals for reform, noting that the NFF statutes did not cover the resignation of its entire leadership. FIFA, CAF and legal experts agreed reforms were needed but insisted they must follow proper procedures and football regulations.

The mission will examine the NFF’s legal framework, consult stakeholders and assess the proposed reforms, including how the federation will be managed and elections organised during the transition.

The government has proposed an independent Normalisation Committee to oversee the NFF, implement reforms and organise elections. Dikko said it could serve for three months to a year, depending on the reforms, and must be free of conflicts of interest.

FIFA said no decisions had been made. After the assessment, FIFA and CAF will determine whether to submit recommendations to their decision-making bodies.