FIFA has approved the appointment of a Normalisation Committee to oversee the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following a leadership crisis that disrupted its electoral process.
The committee will oversee the transition to fresh elections and restore stability to the federation. Its mandate will end once its tasks are completed, but no later than May 31, 2027.
The decision follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee on August 27, leaving the leadership of Nigerian football uncertain.
The crisis also disrupted preparations for NFF elections scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) subsequently directed the federation to suspend the process pending a review.
The intervention comes amid concerns over Nigeria’s football administration and the performance of its national teams. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons lost a qualifying playoff to South Africa in their bid to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Tinubu has also called for reforms to improve governance, accountability, youth development and domestic competitions.
Following consultations with Nigerian football stakeholders, FIFA and CAF agreed that a normalisation process was necessary to stabilise the federation and facilitate fresh elections.
FIFA and CAF will appoint the committee members, who will be ineligible to contest positions in the next NFF elections. The NFF Secretariat will continue to manage the federation’s day-to-day operations.
The committee is expected to restore stable leadership and oversee a transition to a new administration.
