FIFA approves Normalisation Committee to oversee Nigeria Football Federation until 2027

FIFA has approved the appointment of a normalisation committee to oversee the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and organise fresh elections for its executive committee.

The NFF announced the decision in a statement issued by its Communications Department on Thursday, confirming that the Bureau of the FIFA Council had approved the move.

According to a letter signed by FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström and addressed to Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the committee’s members will be appointed jointly by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“The normalisation committee shall consist of a suitable number of members, who will be appointed jointly by FIFA and CAF as soon as possible,” the letter stated.

The committee will remain in office until it completes its assigned responsibilities, with 31 May 2027 set as the latest date for the end of its mandate.

FIFA also made it clear that members of the committee will not be allowed to contest positions in the next NFF elections.

“None of the members of the normalisation committee will be eligible for the positions to be filled during the upcoming NFF elections under any circumstances,” the letter added.

Until the committee is formally appointed, the NFF secretariat will continue to handle the federation’s day-to-day administration and oversee the running of football in the country.

The decision follows a leadership crisis at the NFF, which deepened after President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the federation’s executive committee resigned on 27 August 2026.

The resignations came amid criticism over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to secure a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The mass departure of senior officials left the federation facing a leadership vacuum and disrupted plans for NFF elections that had been scheduled for 27 September.

FIFA’s intervention is expected to provide an interim administrative structure while the federation works towards fresh elections. The normalisation committee will be responsible for completing its assigned tasks within the period approved by the world football governing body.