NFF suspends September elections, sacks league bosses as Nigeria begins major football overhaul

Nigeria’s football administration has been thrown into further turmoil after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) suspended its electoral process and removed the leadership of the country’s four major domestic leagues as part of sweeping reforms ordered by President Bola Tinubu.

The federation has halted all preparations for its elective congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, following the resignation of President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee.

The decision marks a major departure from the NFF’s previously announced electoral timetable, with the federation now set to begin a fresh process after proposed reforms to Nigerian football have been completed.

The reforms are expected to be conducted in consultation with FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Nigerian government and other key stakeholders in the country’s football ecosystem.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has also endorsed Emmanuel Ikpeme, a former NFF Deputy General Secretary, to take charge of the federation’s Secretariat as interim General Secretary.

Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, has meanwhile been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.

The appointments are intended to provide administrative stability as Nigerian football enters what could become one of the most significant restructuring periods in its recent history.

League bosses removed in sweeping shake-up

The reforms have also reached the domestic competitions, with the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One ordered to hand over the administration of their respective competitions.

Under the interim arrangement, responsibility for running the four leagues will be transferred to their Chief Operating Officers, provided they are members of the NFF staff.

Where a league’s existing COO is not an NFF employee, the acting General Secretary has been instructed to appoint a replacement from within the federation.

The move effectively brings the administration of Nigeria’s principal domestic competitions under the direct supervision of the NFF Secretariat during the transition.

The federation says the temporary measures are designed to prevent disruption to football activities while wider consultations on the proposed reforms continue.

“Further changes and directives will be communicated in due course,” the federation said.

Tinubu demands overhaul of Nigerian football

The NFF’s latest actions came less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s football administration.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the reforms must tackle longstanding structural problems affecting the sport.

“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.

Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant stakeholders to maintain continuity while overseeing a broad and consultative reform process.

He also called for engagement with FIFA and CAF to ensure the reforms remain consistent with Nigeria’s international football obligations.

“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,” Mr Tinubu said.

Gusau exit deepens crisis

The latest upheaval follows Gusau’s resignation after three years and 11 months as NFF president.

Gusau, elected in September 2022 to succeed Amaju Pinnick, announced his departure at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday after consultations with his family, friends and football stakeholders.

His resignation came amid mounting pressure following a series of setbacks involving Nigeria’s national teams.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having also missed the 2022 edition.

The Super Falcons then suffered an even more historic blow by failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the competition since its inception in 1991.

With the election now suspended and the leadership of the domestic leagues removed, Nigerian football faces an uncertain transition as authorities prepare to reshape the governance and administration of the sport.