FIFA Backs Nigeria’s Football Reform Process After Zurich Talks

Posted : 02 September 2026

World football governing body FIFA has backed Nigeria’s ongoing football reform process following a high-level meeting with Nigerian football officials in Zurich, Switzerland. The discussions focused on the recent leadership changes at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the roadmap for restructuring the administration of the sport.

The Nigerian delegation was led by National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko and included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, acting NFF General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and NFF Director of Legal Affairs Okey Obi. Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick also attended in his capacity as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee.

The meeting followed the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee on August 27. The mass departures came amid mounting pressure for changes to the governance and administration of Nigerian football.

FIFA formally accepted the resignations, according to the NFF. The parties also agreed to continue consultations involving FIFA, CAF, the NSC and the NFF administration to develop a reform roadmap covering the short, medium and long term.

Dikko said the process would be conducted in line with FIFA and CAF regulations. He added that the objective is to create a better-structured football administration with broader inclusion and a stable environment for the development of the game.

The reforms come after President Bola Tinubu called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigerian football following the country's recent setbacks at international level. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons missed qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup.

Meanwhile, the NFF has rejected a purported FIFA letter that threatened Nigeria with possible suspension from international competitions over alleged government interference. The federation described the document as “totally fake” and said FIFA had already accepted the resignations while engaging with Nigerian authorities on the reform roadmap.

A senior FIFA official also reportedly distanced the organisation from the circulated document, reinforcing the NFF's position that it did not originate from FIFA. The clarification came as officials were holding direct discussions at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

The reform process is expected to address governance, administration, stakeholder representation, domestic competitions and accountability. The NFF's September 27 elective congress had already been suspended, with a new electoral process expected to follow the completion of the reforms.

One proposal under consideration is to change the sequence of NFF elections. Rather than electing national officials before state FA polls, the proposed structure could begin with local football council elections, followed by State FA elections and then the national NFF leadership vote.

FIFA Backs Nigeria’s Football Reform Process After Zurich Talks

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