ICYMI: NSC endorses Ikpeme as interim NFF General Secretary

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme as interim General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the resignation of President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.

Ikpeme, who was previously the NFF’s Deputy General Secretary, will oversee the federation’s secretariat during the transition, while Dr Ademola Olajire, the former Director of Media and Communications, has been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.

The appointments are part of interim measures introduced as the Federal Government begins a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following the resignation of the NFF leadership.

NFF election suspended

The NFF has also suspended all processes leading to its Elective Congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The federation said a fresh electoral process would begin after the completion of the proposed reforms, which will be undertaken in consultation with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

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The election had originally been scheduled for September 26 before being moved by a day to accommodate the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Madagascar.

The suspension means the planned election will no longer proceed under the current arrangements.

League boards affected

The restructuring also extends to Nigeria’s major domestic competitions.

The chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their chief operating officers.

The NFF said the COOs taking over the leagues are to be members of its staff. Where an existing COO is not an NFF staff member, the interim General Secretary will appoint a replacement from within the federation.

The measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football while consultations continue between the government, NFF, FIFA, CAF and other stakeholders.

Reform process

The changes follow President Bola Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football.

Tinubu directed the NSC chairman to work with the NFF secretariat and relevant football stakeholders on a broad reform process, including engagement with FIFA and CAF. The President said the reform should address governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.

The move comes after a difficult period for Nigeria’s national teams, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Reuters reported that the resignations of Gusau, Sanusi and the Executive Committee followed widespread criticism over the national teams’ recent performances.

Gusau, Sanusi resign

Gusau, who became NFF president in September 2022, said his resignation was intended to facilitate a comprehensive and orderly reform process addressing the institutional, governance and developmental challenges facing Nigerian football.

Gusau and Sanusi resigned on Thursday alongside members of the NFF Executive Committee, triggering the immediate restructuring of the federation’s administration.

The interim arrangement is expected to remain in place while the authorities work with FIFA, CAF, government representatives and other stakeholders on a roadmap for the proposed reforms and a new electoral process.

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