FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have commenced an assessment of the leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation, with the international bodies examining the legal, administrative and electoral issues surrounding the federation.
The assessment began on Monday in Abuja when representatives of FIFA and CAF met with National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko and representatives of the various federating units of the NFF.
The meeting, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, comes weeks after NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and several other board members resigned from their positions on August 27.
The leadership shake-up followed growing concerns over the state of Nigerian football, including the performances of the country’s senior and youth national teams and the failure of both the men’s and women’s senior sides to secure places at their respective World Cups.
Representing FIFA and CAF at the meeting were Ahmed Harraz, FIFA Member Association Governance Services team lead; FIFA Head of Member Association Governance Rolf Tanner; El Hadj Wack Diop, who leads FIFA’s Regional Office for West Africa; and CAF Legal Manager Nnaemeka Olu.
Dikko initially held discussions with the visiting officials before members of the NFF Congress joined the engagement. He presented the government’s proposed reform plans for the sports sector and discussed issues surrounding the future administration of Nigerian football.
Among the issues expected to come under scrutiny are the circumstances that led to the resignation of the NFF board, the federation’s statutes, its electoral framework, the composition of the Congress and plans for a fresh elective congress.
The delegation will also examine the proposed timetable for the next election and the extent of government involvement in the federation’s affairs.
Questions surrounding the NFF statutes and the structure of its Congress have remained contentious, with stakeholders calling for changes that would promote broader representation within the federation.
FIFA and CAF are expected to consult with key stakeholders during the assessment as they seek a legally acceptable pathway towards restoring a fully functioning NFF Congress.
The process is also aimed at addressing the recurring leadership disputes that have often emerged around NFF election periods.
FIFA had stated last week that it had yet to reach a decision on the crisis despite receiving several communications from stakeholders in Nigeria. The global football body said it would first complete its assessment before making any recommendations to its relevant decision-making organs.
“The mission will allow FIFA and CAF to better understand the circumstances surrounding the recent developments within the NFF, the views of the various stakeholders and any issues that may require further consideration under the applicable FIFA, CAF and NFF regulatory framework,” FIFA said in a letter sent to the NFF last week.
“Following completion of this assessment process, FIFA and CAF will determine whether any recommendations or proposals should be submitted to the competent decision-making bodies within FIFA and CAF in accordance with their respective Statutes and regulations.
“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take.”
The conclusion of the assessment is expected to shed more light on the government’s reform proposals, the direction of the NFF’s leadership and the steps required to return stability to the administration of Nigerian football.
