The National Sports Commission (NSC) has approved the appointment of Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the former Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to oversee the federation’s secretariat as interim General Secretary.
The decision followed the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee on Thursday.
Dr Ademola Olajire, who previously served as Director of Media and Communications, has also been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.
Meanwhile, all processes related to the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 27 have been suspended.
The commission said a fresh electoral process would begin after the completion of comprehensive reforms to be carried out in consultation with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
As part of the interim arrangements, the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One have been instructed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs), who are NFF staff.
Where a league’s COO is not an NFF staff member, the interim General Secretary will deploy a new COO from within the federation.
The NSC said the measures were introduced to maintain continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition period.
The interim arrangement will remain in place while the government engages with FIFA, CAF and other stakeholders on a roadmap for comprehensive reforms and the future direction of Nigerian football.
The commission added that further directives and changes would be communicated in due course.