The Nigeria Football Federation has directed the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers overseeing Nigeria’s four major domestic football leagues to hand over their administrative duties to the respective Chief Operating Officers.
The directive covers the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women’s Football League and Nationwide League One.
According to the federation, the decision is part of temporary measures introduced as Nigerian football undergoes a major restructuring following the recent resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.
The NFF said the arrangement is designed to ensure continuity and stability in the running of the domestic leagues while consultations continue with FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Federal Government and other stakeholders on broader reforms.
Under the interim structure, the COOs, who are NFF staff members, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the leagues.
The federation further explained that where a serving COO is not an NFF staff member, the Acting General Secretary will appoint a replacement from within the federation.
“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, Government and stakeholders to design a roadmap towards the comprehensive reforms envisaged for Nigeria football, and the next steps for activation,” the NFF said in a statement posted on its official X handle.
The federation added that the temporary arrangement would enable league competitions and other activities to proceed without disruption while discussions on the future structure and governance of Nigerian football continue.
The development comes amid wider changes within the NFF following the resignation of Gusau, Sanusi and the Executive Committee members on Thursday.
The National Sports Commission had earlier suspended the NFF electoral process and endorsed the federation’s Deputy General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, to oversee the NFF secretariat as interim General Secretary.
The commission also ordered the suspension of all activities relating to the NFF Elective Congress, which had been scheduled for September 27.
Meanwhile, Dr Ademola Olajire, the former Director of Media and Communications, has been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.
The latest measures form part of the ongoing transition as football authorities and other stakeholders work towards a new roadmap for the administration of Nigerian football.
