The Nigerian Football Federation has confirmed that world football governing body FIFA has formally accepted the resignations of its former principal officers and members of the Executive Committee.
The NFF made this known on Tuesday while dismissing a purported letter allegedly issued by FIFA regarding the recent changes in the leadership of the federation.
The football body described the letter circulating in sections of the media as “totally fake”, insisting that FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the affected officials.
The NFF also disclosed that discussions involving the National Sports Commission, its administration and the Confederation of African Football were ongoing with FIFA on comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football.
According to the federation, the engagement is focused on developing a roadmap for the reforms in accordance with relevant football rules, books and statutes.
The NFF said, “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 and mutual engagement between the NSC, NFF administration, CAF is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, including agreeing a road map going forward in accordance to the relevant rules books and statutes.”
Former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau confirmed his resignation at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, August 27, before the expiration of his tenure, which was scheduled to end in September.
Following his resignation and the departure of other principal officers and Executive Committee members, the federation constituted an interim administrative structure to oversee its affairs.
Former NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme was appointed interim general secretary, while former head of the NFF Media and Communications Department, Ademola Olajire, was named interim deputy general secretary.
The leadership changes came amid growing concerns over the state of Nigerian football and increasing calls for reforms across the administration of the sport.
The NFF said its ongoing engagement with FIFA, CAF and the NSC would seek to establish a clear roadmap for implementing the proposed reforms while ensuring compliance with the governing statutes of football.