FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have launched a joint assessment of the crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and suspended its presidential election process.
The two football governing bodies ordered the NFF to maintain the suspension while they review the legal, administrative, governance and electoral issues surrounding the federation.
Why FIFA and CAF suspended the election
FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov requested in a letter dated September 7, 2026, and addressed to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme.
The intervention follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.
Gusau announced his resignation at a press conference in Abuja after months of criticism over Nigeria’s poor performances on the international stage.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to DR Congo on penalties in the African play-off final.
The Super Falcons then suffered another major setback. They lost their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualification play-off to South Africa.
The result ended Nigeria’s run of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.
NFF election thrown into uncertainty
The mass resignations came about one month before the NFF’s planned Elective Congress.
The congress was scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The NFF later suspended all processes leading to the congress. The federation said it would begin a fresh electoral process after comprehensive reforms in consultation with FIFA and CAF.
FIFA and CAF have now asked the NFF to keep the electoral process on hold.
They also instructed the federation to take no further steps or decisions until the assessment ends.
FIFA stressed that it has not reached any conclusion on the crisis. It also said it had not decided what action, if any, would follow the assessment.
FIFA, CAF prepare Abuja visit
The latest move followed a September 1 meeting at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.
Representatives of FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and the Federal Government attended the meeting.
FIFA and CAF will now send a joint assessment mission to Abuja.
The team will meet NFF officials, federation members, electoral bodies and Federal Government representatives, including National Sports Commission officials.
The governing bodies will use the meetings to gather information and hear from key stakeholders before deciding whether to make recommendations to their decision-making bodies.
Financial concerns add to crisis
The leadership crisis has also emerged amid financial investigations.
The EFCC and ICPC are investigating the use of a ₦12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the NFF.
The money was meant to cover players’ wages, bonuses and allowances.
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