NFF Congress Rejects Normalisation Committee, Proposes 3-6 Months Caretaker Arrangement

Posted : 08 September 2026

The Nigeria Football Federation Congress has backed comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football but rejected an immediate Normalisation Committee as the preferred route out of the federation's current leadership crisis. Congress instead proposed a three-to-six-month Caretaker Committee to stabilise the federation and prepare the way for fresh elections.

The proposal follows the resignation of the NFF Executive Committee and General Secretary, which created a governance vacuum within the federation. Congress argued that the resignations do not dissolve the NFF or remove the constitutional authority of its existing institutions.

Congress wants an Extraordinary Congress convened first to address the vacancies. It then proposes a review of the NFF Statutes and Electoral Code, verification of electoral constituencies and stakeholder structures, and an elective Congress to install new leadership.

The proposed seven-member Caretaker Committee includes Christopher Green, Abubakar Ladan, L.A. Haruna, Waheed Akanni, Rukayat Segilola Alaya, Coach Oko Victor Ndubuisi and Professor Tor Iorapuu. Congress says the committee should operate under the NFF Statutes and remain a temporary bridge to elected governance.

Congress also wants FIFA and CAF to provide technical assistance, recognition and oversight during the reform process. It insists that international involvement should support Nigeria's football institutions rather than replace their constitutional powers.

The position comes after plans for a FIFA-backed Normalisation Committee had emerged as a possible solution to the crisis. Reports had indicated that the National Sports Commission was preparing nominees for FIFA's review, with the world governing body expected to conduct integrity checks before approving any committee.

Congress has not completely ruled out normalisation. Instead, it argues that such a mechanism should only be considered if FIFA formally determines that the NFF's statutory institutions cannot resolve the crisis through their existing constitutional framework.

The proposed reform programme also covers league administration, club licensing, commercialisation, infrastructure, funding, player welfare, women's football, youth development and grassroots football. Congress called for independent financial assessments before major commitments are implemented.

It specifically recommended that proposals such as a ₦2 million monthly minimum salary for players and large prize-money and media-production allocations be tested against sustainable revenue and club licensing standards. The Congress also wants greater attention given to the Nigeria National League and Nigeria Women's Football League.

The reform plan envisages elections and handover within about six months. Wider structural reforms would then continue over an 18-to-24-month period, covering governance, commercial development, infrastructure, player welfare and grassroots football.

The proposed transition also seeks to preserve existing Local Football Councils and State Football Associations. Congress favours verification and regularisation of those structures instead of dissolving them and starting the electoral process from scratch.

The dispute is unfolding after the original NFF electoral process was disrupted. The federation had previously moved its 2026 Elective Congress to September 27 in Lafia after initially fixing September 26, before the broader reform process halted the planned election.

Congress maintains that reform should strengthen the autonomy, transparency and democratic structure of Nigerian football. Its preferred approach is therefore to use the NFF's constitutional institutions to manage the transition while FIFA and CAF provide technical oversight.

NFF Congress Rejects Normalisation Committee, Proposes 3-6 Months Caretaker Arrangement

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics