FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have suspended the ongoing electoral process of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the two football governing bodies move to investigate a growing leadership and governance crisis within Nigerian football.
The decision was contained in a letter dated September 7, 2026, and addressed to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme.
FIFA and CAF said they are reviewing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications of recent developments within the federation.
The intervention follows the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and several members of the NFF Executive Committee.
Their departures created uncertainty over the leadership and future administration of the federation.
The NFF had been preparing for an elective congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. However, FIFA and CAF have now directed that no further steps or decisions related to the electoral process should be taken until further notice.
The two bodies stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as a final judgment on the actions or positions of any of the stakeholders involved.
They also said no decision has been made on possible sanctions or further measures.
FIFA and CAF are instead planning a joint assessment mission to Abuja to engage key stakeholders and gather information about the crisis.
The mission is expected to meet NFF officials, members of the federation, electoral bodies and representatives of the Nigerian government, including the National Sports Commission.
The latest development comes after Nigeria’s football authorities introduced interim measures following the leadership resignations.
Emmanuel Ikpeme has been placed in charge of the NFF Secretariat on an interim basis while the reform process continues.
