The National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, the erstwhile Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as interim General Secretary of the federation following the resignation of President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and members of the Executive Committee.
The development is part of sweeping interim measures outlined by the Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday as the federal government seeks to revamp Nigerian football administration.
In a statement published on its official website, the NFF said, “Following Thursday’s resignations of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau as president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi as general secretary, and members of the Executive Committee, the National Sports Commission has endorsed Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, until now deputy general secretary, to oversee the NFF Secretariat as interim general secretary.”
The federation also named Dr. Ademola Olajire, its director of media and communications, as interim deputy general secretary.
The NFF stated, “Dr. Ademola Olajire, until now Director of Media and Communications, will serve as interim Deputy General Secretary.”
The shake-up also effectively stops the electoral process that had been scheduled to produce a new NFF leadership next month.
“All processes initiated in preparation for the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for 27 September have also been suspended,” the federation said.
According to the NFF, the suspension is not intended to be permanent, and a new electoral process will be initiated after fundamental reforms are completed.
“A fresh electoral process will commence following the completion of the anticipated comprehensive reforms, to be undertaken in consultation with world football’s governing body, FIFA, and CAF,” the statement said.
The changes go beyond the NFF secretariat; the federation has directed the leadership of Nigeria’s four major domestic league bodies to delegate administrative responsibilities to their chief operating officers.
The NFF said, “Furthermore, 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 directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their chief operating officers, who are members of staff of the NFF.”
It also stated that where a league’s COO is not an NFF staff member, the acting general secretary would appoint a new COO from within the federation.
The NFF explained that the moves were designed to maintain the running of football while the reform process takes shape.
“These interim measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition and pending conclusion of engagements with FIFA, CAF, the government, and stakeholders to design a roadmap towards the comprehensive reforms envisaged for Nigerian football and the next steps for activation,” the statement said.
The federation added, “These measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition. Further changes and directives will be communicated in due course.”
