NFF Crisis Deepens as FIFA Withholds Approval for Normalisation Committee

ABUJA — The international football governing body, FIFA, has withheld immediate approval for Nigeria’s proposed Normalisation Committee, opting instead to send a delegation to the country before ratifying the arrangement.

The development followed a meeting on Tuesday between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and a Nigerian delegation led by National Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

The talks were convened amid the crisis within the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, following the mass resignation of the Ibrahim Gusau-led board after mounting pressure from the public.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu subsequently directed that Nigerian football undergo comprehensive reforms, stressing the seriousness of the situation and the deterioration of the country’s football structure.

The President’s directive effectively placed the reform of Nigerian football on the national agenda, with the situation regarded as a national emergency.

NSC proposes temporary football administration

In response to the presidential directive, the National Sports Commission, which supervises NFF activities, proposed the creation of a Normalisation Committee.

The proposed body is expected to oversee the reform of the federation and organise a fresh election that will produce a new NFF board.

The Nigerian delegation travelled to Zurich with the proposal and sought FIFA’s approval for the committee.

However, Sports Vanguard gathered that Infantino and his officials welcomed the Nigerian delegation and described the discussions as “fruitful”, but did not immediately ratify the proposed committee.

Instead, FIFA is expected to visit Nigeria before taking a final decision.

The visit is expected to enable FIFA officials to assess the situation on the ground and engage with relevant stakeholders before the normalisation process is approved.

FIFA to influence committee membership

FIFA is expected to play a major role in determining who will serve on the Normalisation Committee.

The mass resignation of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF board left a leadership vacuum that the proposed committee is expected to fill temporarily.

While early reports indicated that the committee could remain in place for approximately three months, sources familiar with the discussions said its tenure could extend from six months to one year.

The longer timeframe, according to the sources, would depend on the extent of reforms required and the need to ensure that the National Sports Commission completes the process thoroughly before a new NFF board is elected.

FIFA’s involvement is expected to extend to the screening of proposed committee members.

Sources said all members would undergo mandatory integrity and eligibility tests, similar to the requirements applicable to executive committee members of FIFA affiliates.

The National Sports Commission is therefore continuing negotiations with FIFA on the selection process following the successful meeting in Zurich on Tuesday.

AbdulHakeem Mustapha tipped to lead committee

AbdulHakeem Uthman Mustapha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has emerged as the leading candidate to chair the proposed committee.

He is reportedly backed by a majority of political power brokers in the Presidency.

According to his profile published by Sports Village Square, Mustapha is a member of FIFA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee.

His membership of the FIFA committee provides him with direct experience of the world football governing body and its administrative framework.

That connection could make him a strong contender for the leadership of the proposed Normalisation Committee.

However, FIFA’s pending visit to Nigeria means that the composition and leadership of the committee have not yet been formally approved.

The development leaves the NSC and FIFA with further discussions to complete before the proposed temporary administration of Nigerian football can begin.

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