FIFA has approved a normalisation committee at the head of the Nigerian Federation until 31 May 2027 at the latest. Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles go into their two matches against Tanzania without an elected body at their head.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has a new overseer. According to Soccernet NG, FIFA has approved the setting up of a normalisation committee tasked with running the body until new elections. The FIFA Council Bureau approved the decision during the week of 22 October, on the basis of a letter signed by Mattias Grafström, FIFA secretary general.
In November 2026, the Super Eagles face Tanzania twice in CAF 2027 qualifying. Until then, the federation’s administration remains provisionally entrusted to the secretariat, with Emmanuel Ikpeme as interim secretary general.
A mandate running until May 2027
The normalisation committee’s mandate expires on 31 May 2027 at the latest, Soccernet NG specifies. Until then, the body must lead the federation towards new elections. One precaution is already in place: no member of the committee may stand for the posts to be filled, again according to the Nigerian outlet.
The committee’s composition is not yet known: its members have yet to be appointed. In the meantime, the NFF secretariat is handling day-to-day administration, with Emmanuel Ikpeme at its head on an interim basis.
Resignations in quick succession and congress suspended
FIFA’s decision closes a sequence that began in late August. On 27 August, former president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, former secretary general Mohammed Sanusi and the executive committee resigned, Soccernet NG reports.
The electoral process had been suspended by letter from FIFA and CAF on 7 September, while the elective congress was scheduled for 27 September in Lafia.
The case has also taken on a political dimension. Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, ordered reforms of football, according to Soccernet NG, saying: “The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance”. The Nigerian outlet reports the quote.
Tanzania already qualified, Nigeria second in Group L
On the pitch, Nigeria sit second in Group L, three points behind Guinea-Bissau, according to Soccernet NG. Tanzania, co-host of CAF 2027, are already qualified.
The two matches are scheduled for November 2026, before the normalisation committee members are appointed.