FIFA works with Nigeria on football reforms post-NFF resignations
FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with a Nigerian delegation led by National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko at FIFA House in Zurich on Tuesday to discuss reforms for Nigerian football. The meeting came days after the mass resignation of the Nigeria Football Federation leadership, including President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and Executive Committee members. Discussions focused on institutional, governance and developmental challenges, aiming to strengthen football structures and create more pathways for young players. Infantino also wished success to Nigeria's women's youth teams ahead of the upcoming FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women's World Cups. The NFF said FIFA accepted the resignations and pledged to continue engagements with the Nigerian government, the NFF administration and CAF on a roadmap for comprehensive reforms, targeting short, medium and long term goals to produce a more inclusive federation and stable environment for football development. The Nigerian delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Acting NFF General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and NFF Director of Legal Services Okey Obi, among others. President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed comprehensive reforms addressing governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability following Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 Men's World Cup and the Super Falcons' miss of the 2027 Women's World Cup. With FIFA now directly involved, attention turns to the roadmap for restructuring the NFF and the eventual emergence of new leadership under an agreed electoral process. Will these reforms finally stabilize Nigerian football and unlock opportunities for the next generation of players?