FIFA has approved the appointment of a normalisation committee to manage the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until May 31, 2027, pending fresh elections into the federation’s executive committee.
The world football governing body announced the decision in a letter to the NFF’s acting General Secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, on Thursday.
FIFA said it would appoint members of the committee jointly with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) “as soon as possible.”
“The period during which the normalisation committee shall perform its functions shall expire as soon as it has fulfilled all of its tasks, but by no later than 31 May 2027,” the letter stated.
The committee will oversee the federation’s affairs and prepare it for fresh elections.
However, none of its members will be eligible to contest any position in the forthcoming elections.
“None of the members of the normalisation committee will be eligible for the positions to be filled during the upcoming NFF elections under any circumstances,” FIFA said.
Until the committee is constituted, the NFF Secretariat will continue to manage the federation’s daily operations, with Ikpeme overseeing its administration.
The decision follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other executive committee members in August.
Their departures came amid criticism of Nigerian football following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently ordered comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, including changes to governance, administration, development and accountability.
FIFA and CAF held consultations with Nigerian football stakeholders in September to address the leadership crisis.
The appointment is expected to provide temporary leadership while the federation works toward restoring an elected executive committee.
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