National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko has engaged a joint FIFA and Confederation of African Football delegation in Abuja as international football authorities assess Nigeria’s proposed football reforms and the leadership crisis within the Nigeria Football Federation.
The meeting took place at the NSC Headquarters on Monday, September 14, 2026, with discussions focused on the legal status of Nigerian football, football governance, development and stronger collaboration among key stakeholders.
The engagement formed part of a two-day assessment mission by FIFA and CAF, following the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee. The resignations triggered uncertainty around the NFF’s leadership structure and electoral process.
FIFA representative Rolf Tanner said the delegation was in Nigeria to listen to stakeholders, examine the proposed reform framework and assess the current situation before submitting its findings to FIFA leadership.
The mission is expected to involve consultations with the National Sports Commission, the interim NFF administration, football stakeholders and other relevant bodies. FIFA and CAF have stressed that the assessment is intended to establish the facts and consider the legal, administrative, governance and electoral implications of the crisis.
The discussions with Dikko come after a high-level meeting in Zurich involving FIFA, CAF, the NSC and representatives of the interim NFF administration. That meeting paved the way for further consultations on a short-, medium- and long-term reform roadmap for Nigerian football.
A major issue before the international delegation is the future of the NFF electoral process. FIFA and CAF have directed that the process be suspended while they review the circumstances surrounding the leadership changes, effectively putting the proposed September 27 elective congress on hold.
The reform discussions are expected to examine how Nigerian football can achieve a more stable and legally sound administrative structure, improve governance, strengthen football development and ensure broader stakeholder participation.
The NSC has emerged as a central institution in the reform process, with Dikko leading Nigeria’s engagement with FIFA and CAF. NSC Director General Bukola Olopade and other football officials were also involved in earlier discussions with the international bodies.
The assessment mission is not expected to produce an immediate final decision on the future structure of Nigerian football. Instead, FIFA and CAF will review the information gathered from stakeholders before presenting their findings and possible recommendations to their respective leaderships.
The latest engagement therefore represents another step in efforts to reset Nigeria’s football ecosystem and establish a framework capable of supporting improved governance, sustainable development and stronger cooperation among government, the NFF, clubs, players and other football stakeholders.
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