By Lukman OMIKUNLE
FIFA and CAF have ordered the suspension of the NFF electoral process and announced a joint Abuja mission to assess Nigeria’s football leadership crisis
FIFA, CAF Suspend NFF Election, Plan Abuja Mission Over Leadership Crisis
FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have directed the Nigeria Football Federation to suspend its ongoing electoral process and announced plans to send a joint assessment mission to Abuja amid the deepening leadership crisis in Nigerian football.
The directive was contained in a letter dated September 7, 2026, signed by FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, and addressed to NFF Acting Deputy General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme.
The letter, which was copied to CAF, said the two football governing bodies were assessing the “legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications” arising from the crisis within the NFF.
FIFA and CAF said the assessment followed communications concerning the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, members of the Executive Committee and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, as well as correspondence received from other Nigerian football stakeholders.
The international bodies also referred to a September 1 meeting at FIFA House in Zurich involving FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“FIFA and CAF are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the current circumstances within the NFF,” the letter said.
They added that the process would involve reviewing the relevant facts, the NFF’s regulatory framework and the positions presented by various stakeholders.
“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps,” the letter stated.
The directive effectively reinforces the NFF’s earlier decision to halt preparations for its elective congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
FIFA and CAF specifically instructed the NFF administration not to take further steps in connection with the electoral process until their assessment is completed.
“Furthermore, and without prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing assessment, FIFA and CAF request that the ongoing electoral process be suspended and that no further steps or decisions be taken in connection to that process until further notice,” the letter said.
According to the bodies, the suspension is intended to preserve the existing situation while they examine the circumstances surrounding the leadership crisis.
“This request is made in order to preserve the status quo while FIFA and CAF complete their assessment of the current situation and engage with the relevant stakeholders,” the letter added.
The NFF was directed to communicate the decision to all relevant stakeholders, including its electoral bodies.
FIFA and CAF also announced plans to send a joint assessment mission to Abuja “at the earliest possible opportunity” as they seek a clearer understanding of the crisis and competing positions within Nigerian football.
The mission is expected to meet representatives of the NFF administration, members of the federation, electoral bodies and the National Sports Commission.
“The purpose of this mission will be to engage with the relevant stakeholders and gather the information necessary to enable FIFA and CAF to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the situation,” the letter said.
Ikpeme was asked to coordinate the logistics and facilitate meetings with the relevant stakeholders during the visit.
FIFA and CAF said the outcome of the assessment would determine whether recommendations or proposals would subsequently be presented to their respective decision-making bodies.
“Following completion of this assessment process, FIFA and CAF will determine whether any recommendations or proposals should be submitted to the competent decision-making bodies within FIFA and CAF in accordance with their respective Statutes and regulations,” the letter said.
The organisations also warned stakeholders against speculating about the eventual outcome of the intervention.
“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take.”
The latest development followed Gusau’s resignation on August 27, just 34 days before the end of his four-year tenure.
Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee also resigned, creating a major leadership vacuum in the federation.
The NFF subsequently appointed Ikpeme to oversee its Secretariat as Acting General Secretary, while Ademola Olajire was appointed Acting Deputy General Secretary.
As part of its interim measures, the federation suspended its electoral process and directed the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women’s Football League and Nationwide League One to hand over their administrative responsibilities.
The crisis comes 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 Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Tinubu directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football on the same day Gusau resigned, calling for changes covering governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.
Tinubu also directed the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF and other football stakeholders while engaging FIFA and CAF on the reform process.
The latest FIFA-CAF intervention now places the international football bodies more directly at the centre of efforts to resolve the crisis.
The move follows the September 1 meeting in Zurich, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino met a Nigerian delegation led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko. Infantino said discussions focused on institutional governance, development and ways FIFA could support stronger structures and pathways for Nigerian football.
For now, the September 27 NFF election remains suspended, with the future leadership and structure of the federation likely to depend on the outcome of the FIFA-CAF assessment and the broader reform process.
