FIFA, CAF Suspend NFF Elections Amid Leadership Crisis

FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) intervened in the leadership crisis at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by suspending all electoral activities. This decision, communicated in a letter dated September 7, 2026, to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov, aims to assess the legal, governance, administrative, and electoral implications of recent events.

The intervention follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and other Executive Committee members amid criticism of the NFF's management of national teams, including the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, investigations by the EFCC and ICPC into the use of a ₦12 billion intervention fund have intensified scrutiny.

The NFF's planned Elective Congress on September 27 has been suspended pending reforms. FIFA and CAF will conduct a joint assessment mission in Abuja to gather information before making recommendations.