FIFA Accepts Resignations of Former NFF Executives

FIFA has accepted the resignations of former Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the NFF Executive Committee.

National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade confirmed the development after leading a Nigerian delegation to a meeting with senior FIFA officials in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday.

The decision follows the mass resignation of NFF officials last week, amid efforts by stakeholders to introduce reforms aimed at improving the administration and performance of Nigerian football.

Olopade said the meeting with FIFA was productive and that the world football governing body had agreed to maintain discussions with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework for the proposed reforms.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko attended the meeting alongside Olopade. Former NFF president and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick, NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Director of Legal Services Okey Obi were also part of the delegation.

Pinnick attended in his role as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee.

The discussions also included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF Second Vice President Kurt Okraku and FIFA Director of Member Associations for Africa Gelson Fernandes.

Olopade said the engagement focused on the current state of Nigerian football and the next steps required to support the proposed reforms.

“We had a very good engagement with FIFA in Zurich concerning the current state of Nigerian football following recent mass resignations of members of the NFF Board,” Olopade wrote on 𝕏.

According to Olopade, FIFA has now accepted the resignations of the former NFF executives and committed to continued engagement with the Sports Commission.

He said the discussions would support efforts to implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope reforms and reset Nigerian football for improved performance on the global stage.

“FIFA has now accepted the resignations of the former NFF executives and have pledged to continue engagements with the Sports Commission to ensure Nigeria achieves President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope reforms to reset the country’s football for better global performance.

“Nigeria football is rising again.”

The development marks an important step as Nigerian football authorities and stakeholders work towards changes in the administration of the sport. Continued cooperation between the NSC, NFF and FIFA is expected to shape the reform process and its implementation.

Can the new football reform process deliver the lasting changes Nigerian football needs?