The National Sports Commission has suspended all processes relating to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elective congress scheduled for September 27, following the resignation of the federation’s President, Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, and members of the Executive Committee.
The commission has also endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the immediate past Deputy General Secretary, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim General Secretary.
Dr Ademola Olajire, who previously served as Director of Media and Communications, has been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.
According to the commission, a fresh electoral process will begin after the completion of comprehensive reforms to the administration of Nigerian football.
The reforms will be undertaken in consultation with FIFA, the world football governing body, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The commission also directed the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs).
Where the current COO is not a staff member of the NFF, the acting General Secretary is to deploy a new COO from within the federation.
The commission said the interim measures were introduced to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition.
It added that the measures would remain in place pending consultations with FIFA, CAF, the government and other stakeholders on a roadmap for comprehensive reforms and the subsequent steps for their implementation.
The commission said further changes and directives would be communicated in due course.