World football governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have instructed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to suspend its ongoing electoral process with immediate effect, putting an end to the elective congress scheduled for September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The decision comes as the two football governing bodies begin a joint assessment of the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications of the leadership crisis engulfing Nigerian football.
In a letter dated September 7 and addressed to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, said FIFA and CAF were reviewing communications relating to the resignations of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee.
The intervention effectively halts all further steps in the electoral process until FIFA and CAF complete their assessment.
FIFA, CAF review NFF crisis
FIFA and CAF said their review would consider the relevant facts, the NFF regulatory framework and positions communicated by various stakeholders.
‘We refer to the various communications recently received by FIFA and CAF concerning developments within the Nigeria Football Federation, including the notifications relating to the resignation of the NFF President, members of the Executive Committee and the General Secretary,’ Mammadov said.
The two bodies also referenced a September 1 meeting at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich involving FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and representatives of the Federal Government.
The Nigerian delegation was led by National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko.
‘FIFA and CAF are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the current circumstances within the NFF,’ the letter said.
September 27 election put on hold
FIFA and CAF instructed the NFF not to take any further steps or decisions relating to the electoral process until further notice.
The directive is intended to preserve the status quo while the two governing bodies engage stakeholders and assess the circumstances surrounding the leadership crisis.
The NFF had previously suspended preparations for its September 27 elective congress following the resignation of Gusau, Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee. It had said a fresh electoral process would begin after comprehensive reforms in consultation with FIFA and CAF.
FIFA stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any of the developments within the NFF.
‘At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review, and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps,’ Mammadov said.
FIFA, CAF plan Abuja mission
FIFA and CAF will send a joint assessment mission to Abuja to meet key stakeholders and gather information on the crisis.
The mission is expected to engage the NFF administration, members of the NFF Congress, electoral bodies and the National Sports Commission.
According to FIFA, the visit will help the two organisations understand the circumstances surrounding the recent developments and identify issues requiring further consideration under FIFA, CAF and NFF regulations.
Following the assessment, FIFA and CAF will determine whether recommendations or proposals should be submitted to their respective decision-making bodies.
The two bodies, however, cautioned stakeholders against assuming what action they may eventually take.
Leadership crisis deepens
The FIFA and CAF intervention follows the resignation of Gusau on August 27, 34 days before the scheduled end of his four-year tenure.
Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee subsequently resigned, creating a leadership vacuum at the federation.
Ikpeme was appointed to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim General Secretary, while Ademola Olajire became interim Deputy General Secretary.
The crisis followed mounting criticism of Nigeria’s football administration after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons missed the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The Federal Government subsequently called for comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, with the NSC engaging FIFA and CAF on the way forward.