FIFA, the world’s football governing body, is planning a visit to Nigeria to evaluate the proposed restructuring of the country’s football administration before granting final approval.
This development comes after a meeting in Zurich between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and a Nigerian delegation led by National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko.
The discussions in Zurich centered on the ongoing crisis within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the roadmap to revive Nigerian football, following the recent resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and other Executive Committee members amid mounting criticism.
In response to these resignations, the Nigerian government initiated a comprehensive overhaul of football governance, proposing the formation of a Normalisation Committee to manage the transition, implement reforms, and pave the way for new NFF leadership.
FIFA, however, has not granted immediate approval for this plan. Instead, it intends to maintain dialogue with Nigerian authorities and dispatch a delegation to Nigeria to assess the situation and ensure the proposed reforms align with FIFA statutes. This visit is expected to be a pivotal step before FIFA officially endorses the restructuring process.
At the Zurich meeting, representatives from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the NSC, and the NFF discussed a reform agenda targeting short-, medium-, and long-term improvements. The shared goal is to build a more inclusive, stable, and credible football administration that goes beyond simply replacing outgoing officials, addressing deeper structural issues and fostering sustainable growth for Nigerian football on and off the pitch.
FIFA is expected to play a significant role in determining the composition of the proposed Normalisation Committee, with all prospective members required to meet the organization’s integrity and eligibility standards. The committee would operate on an interim basis, overseeing the reform process and preparing for new NFF elections. Estimates for the committee’s tenure range from several months to up to a year, depending on the pace and complexity of the reforms.
The meeting with Infantino marks a significant milestone, as FIFA has acknowledged the NFF officials’ resignations and is now actively engaging with Nigerian authorities on the way forward. All eyes will be on FIFA’s upcoming visit, which will help determine whether the proposed restructuring satisfies the requirements for final approval. The outcome will shape the structure of the Normalisation Committee, the extent of the reforms, and the roadmap for the next phase of football leadership in Nigeria.
