Ikpeme Named Interim NFF General Secretary After Gusau, Sanusi Resignations

The National Sports Commission has endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, erstwhile Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim General Secretary following Thursday’s resignation of NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee.

Dr Ademola Olajire, the former Director of Media and Communications, will serve as interim Deputy General Secretary as the federation enters a transition period.

The NSC has also suspended all processes initiated towards the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 27. A fresh electoral process will commence after the completion of comprehensive reforms to Nigerian football, which will be undertaken in consultation with FIFA and CAF.

In another major measure, the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers, who are members of the NFF staff.

Where a COO is not an NFF staff member, the acting General Secretary is to deploy a new COO from the federation.

The NSC said the interim measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition, pending the conclusion of engagements with FIFA, CAF, government and other stakeholders on a roadmap for the comprehensive reforms envisaged for Nigerian football and the next steps for their activation.

The commission added that further changes and directives would be communicated in due course.