Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers / Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
BREAKING: NFF Elective Congress Suspended As Ikpeme Emerges Interim General Secretary

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has approved Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme as the interim General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, and members of the Executive Committee.

The decision, announced by the NFF on Thursday, is part of sweeping interim reforms ordered by the Federal Government to overhaul Nigerian football administration.

According to a statement published on the federation’s official website, Ikpeme, who until now served as Deputy General Secretary, will oversee the NFF Secretariat. In a related appointment, the Director of Media and Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire, will serve as interim Deputy General Secretary.

The federation also confirmed that all processes leading to the NFF Elective Congress earlier scheduled for September 27, 2025, have been suspended.

“A fresh electoral process will commence following the completion of the anticipated comprehensive reforms, to be undertaken in consultation with world football’s governing body, FIFA, and CAF,” the NFF statement said.

Leagues Affected

The interim measures also affect the domestic leagues. The NFF directed Chairmen, appointed 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) to hand over administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers who are NFF staff.

Where a league’s COO is not an NFF staff, the Acting General Secretary is to appoint a new COO from within the federation.

The NFF said the measures are to ensure continuity while engagements with FIFA, CAF, Government and stakeholders continue to design a roadmap for comprehensive reforms.

The development comes a day after Gusau, who was elected on September 30, 2022 in Benin City, resigned with 34 days left in his tenure, citing “overriding interest of Nigerian football” and the need for institutional reforms.

The restructuring follows mounting pressure over poor national team performances — including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup — and scrutiny over the handling of the N12bn Federal Government intervention fund.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the NSC to work with the NFF Secretariat and stakeholders to maintain essential administration while driving the reform process.
Source: Punch Newspapers –