World football governing body, FIFA, has formally accepted the resignation of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and other principal officers of the federation, while committing to continued discussions with Nigerian football authorities on comprehensive reforms of the country’s football administration.
The development was disclosed by the NFF on Tuesday following a high-level meeting involving FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), CAF advisers, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the NFF administration at the FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland.
According to the federation, the meeting agreed that consultations would continue towards developing a new roadmap for the restructuring and future administration of Nigerian football.
“FIFA, on Tuesday accepted the resignations of principal officers of the Nigeria Football Federation, and pledged to continue the engagement with the Government of Nigeria, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football on a new roadmap for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria football,” the NFF said in a statement.
The federation said the discussions focused on fine-tuning a roadmap capable of delivering the reforms required in Nigerian football in the short, medium and long term.
“At a meeting inside FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland attended by FIFA, CAF, CAF advisors, NSC and NFF Administration, it was agreed to proceed with engagements and interactions to fine-tune a roadmap that will ensure the delivery of the expected reforms both in the short, medium and long term,” the statement added.
The NFF said the reform process would also seek to establish an inclusive, peaceful and stable administration capable of improving Nigeria’s fortunes both on and off the football pitch.
The federation said the ultimate objective was “to ensure that an inclusive new NFF emerges going forward and with the enabling environment, peaceful and stable to be in position to deliver success both on and off the pitch for the benefit and growth of Nigeria Football.”
The Nigerian delegation to the Zurich meeting was led by NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and the commission’s Director-General, Bukola Olopade.
Former NFF President and ex-member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Pinnick, was also present at the meeting alongside other Nigerian football stakeholders.
The latest development followed a major leadership shake-up within the NFF, which saw Gusau and other principal officers and members of the federation’s Executive Committee resign from their positions.
Gusau, whose four-year tenure was originally scheduled to expire in September, announced his resignation at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, August 27.
He said his decision was taken in the interest of Nigerian football and was intended to create room for a broader and more comprehensive reform process.
“My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” Gusau said.
Following the resignations, the NFF appointed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme as Acting General Secretary to oversee the federation’s secretariat and maintain continuity in its operations.
Ademola Olajire, former head of the NFF’s Media and Communications Department, was also appointed Acting Deputy General Secretary.
The leadership crisis has unfolded amid growing concerns over the declining performance of Nigeria’s national teams and increasing criticism of the administration of the country’s football.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons recently missed qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons’ failure brought an end to Nigeria’s participation in every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
Nigeria’s U-20 men’s team also failed to qualify for the next Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, further intensifying concerns over the state of the country’s football development.
The series of disappointing results triggered renewed calls for fundamental changes in the administration, governance and development structure of Nigerian football and increased pressure on the NFF leadership.
Earlier on Tuesday, the NFF had dismissed a purported FIFA letter circulating in sections of the media, describing the document as “totally fake.”
The federation subsequently clarified that FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the former NFF principal officers and Executive Committee members, while consultations involving FIFA, CAF, the NSC and the NFF administration were ongoing.
The latest statement has now provided additional details of those consultations, confirming that FIFA and the Nigerian football authorities are working towards a new roadmap for comprehensive reforms.
The roadmap is expected to determine the structure, leadership and direction of the next phase of football administration in Nigeria.
The NFF stressed that the reform process would be conducted in accordance with relevant football statutes and regulations, with the stated objective of creating an inclusive and stable football administration capable of restoring confidence and delivering improved results for Nigerian football.