The National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, former Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, as the interim General Secretary of the NFF following the resignation of President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.
The development forms part of sweeping interim measures introduced as the Federal Government begins a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NFF said Ikpeme would oversee the administration of the federation’s secretariat during the transition. The federation also appointed its Director of Media and Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, as interim Deputy General Secretary.
The shake-up has also suspended the NFF electoral process that was scheduled to culminate in an Elective Congress on September 27.
According to the NFF, a fresh electoral process will be initiated after the completion of the proposed reforms, which will be carried out in consultation with FIFA, CAF, the Federal Government and other stakeholders.
The reforms will also affect the administration of the country’s major domestic leagues. The chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One have been directed to hand over administrative responsibilities to their respective Chief Operating Officers.
Where a league’s COO is not an NFF staff member, the acting General Secretary will appoint a replacement from within the federation.
The NFF said the interim arrangements were necessary to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football while discussions on the reform process continue.
The development follows the resignation of Gusau, Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee amid mounting concerns over the state of Nigerian football and the recent performances of the national teams.
Gusau, who was elected NFF president in September 2022, said his resignation was in the overriding interest of Nigerian football and would create room for an “orderly and comprehensive reform process” to address longstanding governance, administrative and developmental challenges.
The mass resignation came after a difficult period for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons suffered a historic setback after missing out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive reform of the football system, citing the need to strengthen governance, accountability, domestic competitions, stakeholder representation and development pathways.
The proposed NFF election had also faced opposition from some stakeholders, with concerns raised over the electoral structure and ongoing legal disputes surrounding the process.
With the election now suspended, the immediate focus is expected to shift to the implementation of the reform programme and the establishment of a new roadmap for the administration of Nigerian football.
The NFF said further directives would be communicated as consultations with the government, FIFA, CAF and other stakeholders progress.