The leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has entered a fresh phase, with world football governing body, FIFA, declining to take an immediate decision on the situation.
Rather than endorse any of the positions emerging from the crisis, FIFA said it would first undertake further consultations with stakeholders in Nigerian football before determining the next course of action.
The development followed the recent mass resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee amid concerns over the performances of Nigeria’s national teams.
The resignations triggered uncertainty over the administration of Nigerian football and led to high-level discussions involving Nigerian football officials, the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
As part of efforts to resolve the situation, Acting NFF General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, NSC officials and CAF representatives travelled to FIFA headquarters in Zurich last Tuesday for talks with the international football body.
But in a letter dated September 7, 2026 and signed by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA made it clear that the Zurich meeting had not produced a final resolution.
The football body said it was still examining the circumstances that led to the mass resignation and would not determine the appropriate next steps until its review was completed.
FIFA also disclosed plans for additional consultations with major stakeholders, including the NSC, the current NFF administration and representatives of the federation’s various members.
The consultations, according to FIFA, are intended to provide a broader picture of the crisis, including the positions of the different stakeholders and the circumstances that preceded the leadership upheaval.
The international body said its assessment would also take into account the relevant regulatory provisions governing the NFF under FIFA, CAF and NFF frameworks.
FIFA’s position effectively keeps the leadership question unresolved for now, leaving Nigerian football authorities without an immediate international verdict on the crisis.
With further consultations expected, attention will now shift to the outcome of FIFA’s review and whether the additional engagements can provide a clear path towards restoring stability to the administration of Nigerian football.
