FIFA Endorses Nigeria Football Reforms After NFF Board Resignation, Shehu Dikko Says

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FIFA has endorsed Nigeria’s proposed overhaul of football administration following the resignation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive committee and its General Secretary, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has said.

Dikko disclosed this after leading a Nigerian delegation to meetings with officials of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Switzerland.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS, the NSC chairman said the meetings were aimed at finding a clear and lawful pathway for reform following the leadership vacuum created by the mass resignation of the NFF board.

According to Dikko, FIFA accepted the resignations and agreed that reforms were necessary, but stressed that the process must comply with the governing statutes and regulations of world football.

“In short, FIFA endorsed the resignation, endorsed reform, agreed that the reform must happen, but it has to go through the proper process and the rulebooks, and they are ready to accommodate that,” Dikko said.

He explained that the Nigerian delegation presented FIFA with proposals for restructuring the administration of football in the country, based on concerns raised by stakeholders.

Dikko said FIFA also acknowledged the Nigerian government’s position as a major stakeholder in the development of sports, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, funding and security.

A key part of the proposed transition is the establishment of an independent normalisation committee, which is expected to oversee the reform process and help steer Nigerian football towards a new administrative structure.

Dikko stressed that the committee would not simply be appointed by the Nigerian government. Rather, it would operate under agreed terms of reference and within a defined timeframe, while remaining subject to the relevant FIFA rules.

The development follows the resignation in late August of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the entire executive committee.

The resignations came after growing concerns over the performance and administration of Nigeria’s national teams, including failures to qualify for major international competitions.

Following the developments, President Bola Tinubu directed that Nigeria’s football administration undergo a comprehensive reform aimed at addressing longstanding structural and governance concerns.

An interim administration headed by Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme is currently overseeing the affairs of the NFF.

FIFA has formally accepted the resignations, while discussions involving the NSC, the interim NFF administration, CAF and FIFA are continuing.

The parties are expected to develop a roadmap covering short-, medium- and long-term reforms, with the process to be conducted in accordance with the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF statutes and regulations.

The proposed reforms are expected to address the structure and governance of Nigerian football while improving the administration and development of the country’s national teams and domestic game.

Dikko expressed optimism that the reform process would ultimately produce a stronger and more effective football administration capable of improving Nigeria’s fortunes both on and off the pitch.