NFF Reform Plan Could Begin With Local Council and State FA Elections

Posted : 01 September 2026

Nigeria's proposed football reforms could lead to a complete overhaul of the Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) electoral structure, with new elections potentially beginning at the local football council level before moving to State Football Associations and the NFF Congress.

The development follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee on August 27. The resignations brought the electoral process for the September 27 NFF Elective Congress to an immediate halt. The NFF has confirmed that a fresh electoral process will only begin after comprehensive reforms in consultation with FIFA and CAF.

NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme has now indicated that the proposed reforms could take a bottom-up approach. In a letter to members of the suspended electoral committee, he stated that plans for a new Elective Congress would begin with elections at the local council level.

The proposed sequence would then move to State Football Association elections before culminating in the election of a new NFF Executive Committee. This would represent a major departure from the electoral roadmap released by the NFF in July, which had scheduled the federation's elections for September 27.

A Normalisation Committee is expected to oversee the reform process after consultations between the Nigerian government, FIFA, CAF and other football stakeholders. Its responsibilities could include reviewing the NFF Statutes, preparing new electoral guidelines and establishing a fresh timetable for the various elections.

The committee could also be responsible for setting up appropriate electoral and appeals panels. These measures would be designed to provide a clear framework for the election of football administrators across the different levels of the game.

The NFF has already placed its secretariat under interim administration, with Ikpeme appointed to oversee operations. The federation also suspended all processes linked to the September election and said the transition measures would remain in place while discussions continue on the comprehensive reform roadmap.

President Bola Tinubu directed the comprehensive football reform after the country's recent setbacks in international football. The NFF has said the reforms are intended to address repeated failures to qualify for major competitions and other structural problems affecting Nigerian football.

The proposed changes could therefore go beyond simply replacing the officials who resigned. They could reshape how football administrators are selected from the grassroots level through the State FAs and ultimately into the NFF Congress.

The reform process will also need to balance government objectives with the autonomy requirements of FIFA and CAF. The NFF has already confirmed that both international bodies will be consulted before the next electoral process is activated.

For Nigerian football stakeholders, the credibility of the new process will be critical. Transparent elections, broad participation and clear electoral rules will determine whether the reforms can produce a stronger and more accountable football administration.

NFF Reform Plan Could Begin With Local Council and State FA Elections

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