Nigerian delegation from NFF and NSC meets FIFA president Infantino. CREDIT: NFF
The Nigeria Football Federation has debunked reports that world football governing body, FIFA, demanded clarification over alleged government interference in the affairs of the federation.
The NFF, in a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, described a purported letter circulating in sections of the media as fake.
The body added that FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the former principal officers and members of the NFF executive committee.
The federation said, “The NFF has debunked news of a ‘letter’ circulating in sections of the media as being from world football governing body, FIFA. It is totally fake. FIFA has already accepted the resignations of former principal officers and Members of the NFF Exco.”
The denial came as a delegation of the National Sports Commission and key Nigerian football stakeholders met FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday.
A picture posted on NFF shows moment the delegation, led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade, met Infantino.
Former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick also attended the meeting.
The discussions reportedly focused on the ongoing restructuring of Nigerian football, recent leadership changes at the NFF and steps required to move the sport forward.
The meeting followed the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of his executive committee amid pressure over the state of Nigerian football.
Gusau, whose tenure was due to expire in September, confirmed his resignation during a news conference in Abuja last Thursday.
The NFF subsequently appointed an interim administrative structure, with Emmanuel Ikpeme, a former deputy general secretary, serving as interim general secretary, while Ademola Olajire, who previously headed the federation’s media and communications department, was appointed interim deputy general secretary.
President Bola Tinubu also called for reforms in Nigerian football following what he described as “repeated failures.”
The NFF has faced scrutiny over the performance of Nigeria’s national and youth teams.
The Super Eagles missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive time, while the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup — the first such absence since the tournament began in 1991.
Stakeholders have also called for reforms in the administration and development of football at the grassroots.
The reported FIFA letter, which the NFF has now dismissed as fake, had purportedly claimed that FIFA was concerned about reports that Gusau resigned following a directive from the Presidency.
It also purportedly cited FIFA statutes on the independence of member associations and threatened possible sanctions, including suspension, if the Nigerian authorities failed to provide clarification.
However, the NFF said the reported letter was not from FIFA and that the world football governing body had already accepted the resignations of the former NFF officials.
