FIFA Accepts NFF Mass Resignations, Backs Comprehensive Reform Roadmap
FIFA has accepted the mass resignations of principal officers of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as engagements continue on a comprehensive roadmap for reforms aimed at restructuring Nigerian football.
The development followed a meeting at FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland, attended by representatives of FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the NFF administration.
The parties agreed to continue engagements and interactions to fine-tune a reform roadmap expected to deliver short-, medium- and long-term changes to Nigerian football and provide the foundation for a more inclusive, peaceful and stable NFF capable of delivering success on and off the pitch.
NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, led the Nigerian delegation, which included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and NFF Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi.
Former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick was also at the meeting in his capacity as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee.
Other participants included CAF Second Vice President Kurt Okraku and FIFA Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes.
‘Mutual engagement among the National Sports Commission, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigeria football, including agreeing a roadmap going forward in accordance with the relevant rules, regulations and Statutes,’ Dikko said.
‘There is no doubt Nigeria football will emerge much better and properly structured after the conclusion of this process.’
The meeting and FIFA’s acceptance of the resignations represent a significant development in the unfolding leadership crisis that followed the departure of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and other principal officers of the federation.
With FIFA, CAF, the Nigerian government through the NSC and the NFF administration now engaged in discussions, attention will turn to the reform roadmap and the process expected to lead to the emergence of a new and inclusive leadership structure for Nigerian football.
