NFF crisis deepens as NSC names Ikpeme Interim General Secretary
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the former Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to oversee the NFF Secretariat as Acting General Secretary following the resignation of NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee on Thursday.
Dr Ademola Olajire, who previously served as the NFF Director of Media and Communications, has also been appointed Acting Deputy General Secretary.
As part of the transition measures, all processes relating to the NFF Elective Congress earlier scheduled for September 27 have been suspended.
A fresh electoral process is expected to begin after the completion of a comprehensive reform programme for Nigerian football. The reforms will be undertaken in consultation with FIFA, the world football governing body, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The NSC has also directed the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs), where applicable.
Where a league's COO is not a staff member of the NFF, the Acting General Secretary has been directed to deploy a new COO from within the Federation.
The measures are aimed at maintaining stability and continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition period.
The NSC said the interim arrangements will remain in place pending further consultations involving FIFA, CAF, the Federal Government and other key football stakeholders to develop a clear roadmap for the comprehensive reforms and determine the next steps for implementation.
Further directives and changes are expected to be announced as the reform process progresses.
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