…Rejects Government-Interference Claims
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The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed as fake a purported letter claiming that FIFA demanded explanations from Nigerian authorities over alleged government interference in the affairs of the federation.
The document, dated September 1, 2026, purportedly bore the signature of FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström and claimed that the world football governing body was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
It alleged that Gusau resigned following a directive from the Presidency and claimed that FIFA had asked Nigerian authorities to confirm whether his decision was voluntary.
The purported letter also cited Articles 14 and 19 of the FIFA Statutes, which require member associations to manage their affairs independently and without undue third-party influence.
However, reacting to the document on Tuesday, the NFF said it did not originate from FIFA and had not been received through any of the federation’s official communication channels.
“The 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,” the federation stated.
The NFF further disclosed that FIFA had already accepted the resignations of Gusau, former General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.
“FIFA has already accepted the resignations of former principal officers and members of the NFF Executive Committee,” it added.
According to the federation, discussions are ongoing among the National Sports Commission, the NFF administration, the Confederation of African Football and FIFA concerning comprehensive reforms in Nigerian football.
It said the consultations were intended to produce a roadmap for restructuring the administration of the sport in accordance with the relevant statutes and regulations.
“Mutual engagement between the NSC, NFF administration and CAF is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football, including agreeing a roadmap going forward in accordance with the relevant rule books and statutes,” the federation said.
Gusau announced his resignation at a press conference in Abuja on August 27, alongside Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee.
He said his decision was intended to create room for a comprehensive and orderly reform process addressing longstanding governance, administrative and developmental challenges in Nigerian football.
The resignation came amid mounting public criticism following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed that comprehensive reforms be undertaken to address structural deficiencies in the administration of Nigerian football.
Following the resignations, Emmanuel Ikpeme, a former NFF Deputy General Secretary, was selected to oversee the federation’s secretariat as interim General Secretary, while Ademola Olajire was appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.
Preparations for the NFF elective congress have also been suspended pending the completion of consultations and the development of a new reform roadmap.
Although FIFA regulations prohibit government or other third-party interference in the management of member associations, no authentic FIFA communication threatening Nigeria with suspension over the recent resignations has been made public.
The NFF’s clarification therefore contradicts reports claiming that FIFA had demanded written explanations or threatened to refer Nigeria to the FIFA Council for possible sanctions
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