RismadarVoice Reporters
October 22, 2026
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has approved the establishment of a Normalisation Committee to oversee the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of fresh elections into its Executive Committee.
The decision, announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026, follows months of uncertainty surrounding the leadership and administration of Nigerian football.
According to a letter signed by FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström and addressed to NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, the committee’s members will be jointly selected by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The world football governing body directed that the appointments be made as soon as possible, although the names and number of committee members have yet to be announced.
FIFA also stipulated that the committee must complete its assigned responsibilities no later than May 31, 2027.
Under the arrangement, none of the committee members will be permitted to contest positions in the forthcoming NFF elections.
The restriction is intended to preserve the neutrality of the interim leadership and prevent potential conflicts of interest during the electoral transition.
Pending the committee’s appointment, the NFF Secretariat will continue managing the federation’s daily administrative activities and coordinating football operations across the country.
The development follows the resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee on August 27, 2026.
Their departures created a leadership vacuum and disrupted preparations for the federation’s previously scheduled elective congress.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football administration, with particular attention to governance, accountability, stakeholder representation and football development.
The National Sports Commission also engaged FIFA and CAF in consultations aimed at establishing an acceptable framework for the federation’s transition.
A Nigerian delegation visited FIFA headquarters in Zurich in September to discuss the proposed reforms and the future administration of Nigerian football.
The newly approved Normalisation Committee is expected to provide temporary leadership, address outstanding administrative concerns and facilitate a credible electoral process.
Its establishment marks a significant development in efforts to restore stable governance to Nigerian football following the recent leadership crisis.
Further announcements are expected concerning the committee’s membership, responsibilities and timetable for fresh elections.
