FIFA, CAF HALT NFF ELECTION, REVIEW NIGERIA FOOTBALL CRISIS

By: Gyang Dakwo

FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have intervened in the crisis engulfing Nigerian football, directing the Nigeria Football Federation to suspend further steps in its electoral process pending a review of recent developments.

In a September 7 letter to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov said FIFA and CAF were reviewing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications of the situation.

The directive effectively puts the September 27 NFF election on hold. FIFA said no further electoral steps should be taken until the review is completed.

FIFA also stressed that it had not reached any conclusion on possible further action. This means speculation about an immediate FIFA suspension of Nigeria or the appointment of a normalisation committee remains unconfirmed.

A joint FIFA and CAF mission is expected in Abuja to meet NFF officials, electoral bodies and Federal Government representatives, including officials of the National Sports Commission.

The intervention follows the August 27 resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee. The resignations came after a difficult period for Nigerian football, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

Financial concerns have also complicated the crisis, with questions surrounding the management of a ₦12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the NFF.

FIFA and CAF are therefore looking beyond the immediate question of who succeeds the former NFF leadership. Their review is expected to consider governance, the electoral process and the structure required to restore stability to Nigerian football.

Nigeria will also have to balance its interest in accountability and reform with FIFA’s requirement that national football associations retain administrative independence.

The outcome of the FIFA and CAF review could consequently determine more than the timing of the next NFF election. It could shape the structure and direction of Nigerian football’s administration for years to come.

For Nigerian football, the immediate priority is stability. The national teams have competitive commitments ahead, while Nigerian clubs are already involved in CAF competitions.