NFF DENIES FIFA LETTER CLAIMS AS NIGERIAN DELEGATION MEETS INFANTINO
Read Time:2 Minute, 18 Second
By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed reports that FIFA demanded an explanation over alleged government interference in the affairs of the federation, describing a purported letter circulating in some sections of the media as fake.
The NFF, in a statement shared on its X handle on Tuesday, said FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the former principal officers and members of the federation’s executive committee.
“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 federation stated.
The clarification came as a delegation from the National Sports Commission and other key Nigerian football stakeholders met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday.
The delegation was led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade, while former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick also attended the meeting.
The discussions reportedly centred on the ongoing restructuring of Nigerian football, recent leadership changes within the NFF and measures to reposition the sport.
The meeting followed the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of his executive committee amid growing concerns over the state of Nigerian football.
Gusau, whose tenure was expected to end in September, announced his resignation at a press conference in Abuja last Thursday.
Following the resignations, the NFF established an interim administrative structure, appointing former Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme as interim General Secretary and former Media and Communications Department head Ademola Olajire as interim Deputy General Secretary.
President Bola Tinubu has also called for reforms in Nigerian football following what he described as “repeated failures.”
The NFF has come under increasing scrutiny over the performances of Nigeria’s national and youth teams. The Super Eagles missed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive edition, while the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, marking the first time they have missed the tournament since its inception in 1991.
Football stakeholders have consequently intensified calls for reforms in the administration of the sport and greater investment in grassroots development.
The purported FIFA letter had claimed that the global football body was concerned by reports that Gusau resigned following a directive from the Presidency. It also allegedly cited FIFA statutes on the independence of member associations and warned of possible sanctions, including suspension, if the Nigerian authorities failed to provide clarification.
The NFF, however, maintained that the document was not issued by FIFA and reiterated that the world football governing body had already acknowledged and accepted the resignations of the former NFF officials.
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