NFF Crisis: Sports Commission Chiefs Split Over Proposed Interim Committee

The leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has deepened following the resignation of the federation’s President, Ibrahim Gusau, and other board members, with senior officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC) reportedly divided over the proposed Normalisation Committee.

The development followed mounting pressure on the NFF leadership over the management of Nigerian football and the utilisation of funds allocated to the federation.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had reportedly joined other security agencies in investigating the management of the N17 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the NFF for players’ wages and bonuses.

NFF General Secretary Confirms Resignation

Meanwhile, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, has confirmed his resignation amid the leadership shake-up at the football governing body.

Sanusi reportedly confirmed on Thursday that he had resigned and that the resignation of both himself and NFF President Ibrahim Gusau was genuine.

The development comes at a difficult period for Nigerian football, following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The country also suffered a setback in women’s football after the Super Falcons failed to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

NSC Chiefs Disagree Over Normalisation Committee

The resignations have created the need for an interim arrangement to oversee the affairs of the NFF pending the election of a new executive board.

However, senior officials of the NSC are reportedly divided over who should head the proposed Normalisation Committee.

Sources familiar with the development said NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, had agreed on the need for the NFF board to step aside but disagreed over who should lead the proposed committee.

According to one source, Dikko is backing former football administrator Musa Ahmadu, while Olopade is said to be favouring former NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

“We’ve seen this movie before. When administrators fight, players suffer, sponsors run, and FIFA starts asking questions,” the source said.

The proposed Normalisation Committee is expected to oversee the affairs of the NFF for about three months.

Its major responsibility would be to organise and conduct fresh elections for a new NFF executive board.

The proposed arrangement could, however, affect the federation’s existing electoral timetable.

The NFF had initially scheduled its elective congress for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Any decision to establish a Normalisation Committee could therefore lead to the postponement or cancellation of the scheduled election, depending on the final arrangement adopted by the sports authorities.

The latest development has heightened concerns among football stakeholders, who are watching closely to see how the leadership vacuum will be resolved without further disruption to Nigerian football.

The disagreement within the NSC also comes at a sensitive time for the country’s football administration, with stakeholders expected to seek an arrangement that can restore stability, ensure accountability and pave the way for a credible election of a new NFF leadership.