FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have directed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to suspend its ongoing electoral process indefinitely as the two international football bodies begin a comprehensive assessment of the leadership and governance crisis currently rocking Nigerian football.
The directive was contained in a letter dated September 7, 2026, and signed by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, addressed to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme.
FIFA and CAF said they are assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the recent developments within the NFF, following the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, members of the Executive Committee and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi.
The international bodies also said their review was informed by communications received from other stakeholders in Nigerian football, as well as discussions held during a meeting at FIFA House in Zurich on September 1 involving FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and representatives of the Federal Government.
FIFA and CAF, however, stressed that they have not reached any conclusion on the issues under review and have not determined what further steps may be taken.
They consequently directed the NFF administration to halt the electoral process and refrain from taking any further steps or decisions relating to the election until further notice.
The directive effectively places on hold the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, after the federation had earlier suspended preparations for the congress following the resignation of its top officials.
The football governing bodies said the suspension was necessary to preserve the status quo while they complete their assessment and engage relevant stakeholders.
FIFA and CAF are also planning a joint assessment mission to Abuja at the earliest possible opportunity.
The mission is expected to meet representatives of the NFF administration, members of the federation, its electoral bodies and officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to obtain information required for a comprehensive assessment of the situation.
Ikpeme has been designated as the primary contact point to coordinate the engagements and facilitate meetings with the relevant stakeholders.
The latest intervention comes against the backdrop of a major leadership shake-up within Nigerian football.
Gusau resigned as NFF president on August 27, alongside Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee. The resignations came amid mounting criticism over the performance and administration of the country’s national teams.
The crisis had earlier prompted the NFF to suspend all processes leading to its September 27 Elective Congress and put interim administrative arrangements in place to keep the federation’s operations running.
The upheaval followed a difficult period for Nigerian football, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently called for comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football, with the proposed reforms expected to address governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.
The development has also drawn FIFA and CAF more directly into the unfolding reform process. During the September 1 meeting in Zurich, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met a Nigerian delegation led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko to discuss institutional governance, football development and ways to strengthen structures and pathways within Nigerian football.
The latest FIFA-CAF directive does not amount to a final sanction against Nigeria, nor does it determine the validity of any position taken by the various stakeholders in the NFF crisis.
Rather, the international bodies said the suspension is intended to allow them to examine the circumstances surrounding the leadership changes, assess the relevant regulatory framework and engage those involved before deciding on the way forward.
With the NFF election now firmly on hold, attention has shifted to the planned FIFA-CAF mission to Abuja and the outcome of the assessment, which could determine the next phase of the federation’s leadership, electoral process and broader reform of Nigerian football.
