FIFA appoints normalisation committee to run Nigeria Football Federation until May 2027

FIFA council approves interim management The FIFA Council, meeting in Zurich, gave the green light for a normalisation committee to take charge of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The decision was communicated in a letter from FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström to the acting General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme. The committee is to be formed as soon as possible, with members appointed jointly by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Scope and timeline of the committee The appointed committee will oversee the federation’s affairs until fresh elections are held for the NFF executive committee. Its mandate is set to conclude no later than 31 May 2027, or earlier if all tasks are completed before that date. During the interim period, the NFF Secretariat will continue handling day‑to‑day operations under Ikpeme’s supervision.

Restrictions on committee members Both sources note that individuals serving on the normalisation committee will be barred from contesting any positions in the forthcoming NFF elections. This restriction is intended to ensure a clear separation between the interim management and the future elected leadership.

Background to the intervention The intervention follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi in August, when the entire board stepped down. The resignations were triggered by a series of disappointing results for Nigeria’s national teams, including the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the Super Eagles missing the 2026 World Cup as well as the 2022 edition.

Expected transition According to the statements from both FIFA and the NFF, the normalisation committee’s work will focus on restructuring the federation and preparing it for a transparent election process. Newly elected officials are expected to assume office from June 2027, marking the end of the interim period.

Implications for Nigerian football The appointment signals an effort by global and continental football authorities to stabilise governance within Nigerian football. By placing the federation under joint oversight and preventing committee members from running for office, FIFA and CAF aim to restore confidence among stakeholders and set the stage for future sporting success.

The NFF and its supporters now await the composition of the normalisation committee and the subsequent election of a new executive body, which together are seen as crucial steps toward rebuilding the sport’s administration in Nigeria.