The world football governing body, FIFA, has raised concerns over the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), giving the federation and the Federal Government seven days to provide explanations over the circumstances surrounding the resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
FIFA warned that Nigeria could face suspension from international football if the response to its concerns is considered unsatisfactory.
If the world football governing body suspends Nigeria, this could potentially prevent the country’s teams and football bodies from participating in FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions.
In a letter dated September 1, 2026, and addressed to the NFF President and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the organisation had “taken note with great concern” of reports surrounding Gusau’s resignation.
The intervention followed reports that Gusau’s resignation was linked to a directive from the Presidency as part of moves to reform the administration of Nigerian football.
FIFA’s position is based on provisions of its statutes which require member associations to operate independently and without interference from government authorities or other third parties.
The football body referred to Articles 13, 14 and 19 of the FIFA Statutes, stressing that elected football officials should not be removed through external interference.
FIFA is now seeking confirmation that Gusau’s resignation was voluntary and made without pressure from outside the NFF. It also wants the Federal Government to provide an official account of what led to the resignation and assurances that the NFF will continue to function in accordance with its statutes and FIFA regulations.
The warning places Nigeria’s football administration under increased pressure as the country attempts to restructure the NFF following the sudden departure of Gusau and other senior officials.
Gusau, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the federation’s Executive Committee resigned on August 27, leading to the suspension of the NFF elective congress earlier scheduled for September 27 in Lafia.
Gusau had been widely favoured to emerge from the election without a serious challenge before the process was halted.
Following the leadership changes, the National Sports Commission endorsed former NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme as interim General Secretary to oversee the federation’s secretariat during the transition. Former NFF Director of Media and Communications Ademola Olajire was also elevated to Deputy General Secretary.
The changes came after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, directing Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko to work with the NFF secretariat and other stakeholders to address what the government described as longstanding problems in the administration of the sport.
Tinubu said the proposed reforms were expected to improve the way football is governed and developed in Nigeria.
“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” the President said.
He also blamed structural weaknesses for the difficulties confronting the country’s football system despite the enormous popularity of the sport and the level of public and government support it receives.
“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” Tinubu said.
The NFF subsequently suspended preparations for the September 27 elective congress, saying the electoral process would only resume after the proposed reforms and consultations with FIFA and CAF had been completed.
“A fresh electoral process will commence following the completion of the anticipated comprehensive reforms, to be undertaken in consultation with world football’s governing body, FIFA, and CAF,” the federation said.
The NFF has also made administrative changes to the country’s major domestic leagues as part of the transition. The Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One were affected by a directive requiring league chairmen to hand over their administrative responsibilities to their respective chief operating officers.
The federation said the move was intended to ensure the smooth running of competitions while the leadership crisis and reform process continue.