NSC Suspends NFF Elections, Orders League Chiefs To Hand Over

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has suspended all processes leading to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Elective Congress scheduled for 27 September, while ordering the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the country’s major domestic leagues to hand over their responsibilities.

The sweeping measures followed Thursday’s resignations of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.

In a statement issued by Dr Ademola Olajire, erstwhile NFF Director of Media and Communications and now interim Deputy General Secretary, the NSC endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, formerly Deputy General Secretary, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim General Secretary.

Olajire, meanwhile, has been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.

The NSC also halted the electoral process for the September 27 NFF Elective Congress, with a fresh process to be initiated after the completion of what it described as comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football.

According to the statement, the reforms will be undertaken in consultation with world football governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The commission has also directed the chairmen, appointed directors and CEOs of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs).

Where the existing COOs are not NFF staff, the acting General Secretary has been empowered to deploy new COOs from within the federation.

The measures represent a major shake-up of the administration of Nigerian football and are intended to maintain continuity during the transition.

Olajire said further engagements would be held with FIFA, CAF, the Federal Government and other stakeholders to develop a roadmap for the proposed comprehensive reforms and determine the next steps.

“These interim measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition,” the statement said.

It added that further changes and directives would be communicated in due course.