NFF crisis: Ikpeme takes over as acting secretary general

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has entered a transitional phase following the resignation of its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and members of the Executive Committee.

In a major development, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, former Deputy Secretary General, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as Acting Secretary General.

Dr. Ademola Olajire, former Director of Media and Communications, has also been appointed as Acting Deputy Secretary-General.

This development has also immediately halted the NFF’s planned elective process, with all preparations for the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 27 suspended.

According to the directive, a new electoral process will begin after the completion of comprehensive reforms, which are expected to be carried out in consultation with FIFA, CAF, the Federal Government and other key football stakeholders.

As part of the transition measures, the Presidents, Designated Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) have been instructed to hand over the management of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COO).

When a league’s chief operating officer is not a member of the NFF staff, the acting general secretary is mandated to deploy a new federation chief operating officer to oversee league operations.

The directive effectively places the country’s major domestic football competitions under interim administrative structures while authorities begin the process of restructuring Nigerian football.

The NSC said the measures are aimed at ensuring continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition, pending the conclusion of consultations with FIFA, CAF, the government and other stakeholders on a roadmap for comprehensive reforms.

New directives and changes are expected as the reform process develops.