FIFA has formally accepted the resignations of principal officers of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), while discussions continue on a comprehensive reform roadmap aimed at restructuring Nigerian football, Trybal News reports.
The development followed a high-level meeting at FIFA House in Zurich on Tuesday involving representatives of FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the NFF administration.
According to the NSC, the meeting agreed that engagement would continue among the relevant stakeholders to fine-tune a roadmap for reforms in Nigerian football, covering the short, medium and long term.
The proposed reforms are expected to focus on creating a more inclusive and properly structured NFF, while establishing a peaceful and stable environment capable of delivering improved results both on and off the pitch.
The Nigerian delegation was led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and included NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade, former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council Member Amaju Pinnick, NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and NFF Director of Legal Services Okey Obi.
Pinnick attended in his official capacity as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee. CAF 2nd Vice President Kurt-Okraku and FIFA Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, also participated in the meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Dikko said the stakeholders remained committed to finding a lasting solution for Nigerian football.
Mutual engagement among the National Sports Commission, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football is ongoing with FIFA on the comprehensive reforms of Nigeria football, including agreeing a roadmap going forward in accordance with the relevant rules, regulations and Statutes.”
Dikko expressed confidence that the process would ultimately strengthen the administration and structure of Nigerian football.
There is no doubt Nigeria Football will emerge much better and properly structured after the conclusion of this process,” he added.
The latest development comes as FIFA, CAF and Nigerian football authorities continue efforts to establish a new framework for the administration of the country’s football, with the emphasis now on ensuring that the next NFF structure is inclusive, stable and capable of driving the growth of the sport.
