The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports that world football governing body FIFA demanded clarification over alleged government interference in the affairs of the federation.
The NFF, in a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, described a purported letter circulating in sections of the media as fake.
The federation said FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the former principal officers and members of its executive committee.
“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. FIFA has already accepted the resignations of former principal officers and Members of the NFF Exco,” the federation stated.
The denial came as a delegation from the National Sports Commission and other key Nigerian football stakeholders met FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday.
The delegation was led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade. Former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick also attended the meeting.
The discussions reportedly centred on the ongoing restructuring of Nigerian football, recent leadership changes at the NFF and measures needed to reposition the sport.
The meeting followed the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of his executive committee amid growing concerns over the state of Nigerian football.
Gusau, whose tenure was scheduled to end in September, confirmed his resignation at a news conference in Abuja last Thursday.
Following the development, the NFF announced an interim administrative structure. Emmanuel Ikpeme, a former deputy general secretary, was appointed interim general secretary, while Ademola Olajire, the federation’s former media and communications chief, became interim deputy general secretary.
President Bola Tinubu has also called for reforms in Nigerian football following what he described as “repeated failures.”
The NFF has come under increasing scrutiny over the performances of Nigeria’s national and youth teams.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive edition, while the Super Falcons missed qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, marking their first absence from the tournament since its inception in 1991.
Football stakeholders have also intensified calls for reforms in the administration of the game and the development of football at the grassroots.
The purported FIFA letter had claimed that the world football governing body was concerned by reports that Gusau resigned following an alleged directive from the Presidency.
The document also purportedly cited FIFA statutes guaranteeing the independence of member associations and warned of possible sanctions, including suspension, if the Nigerian authorities failed to provide clarification.
However, the NFF has rejected the document, insisting that it did not originate from FIFA and that the international governing body had already accepted the resignations of the former NFF officials.
