The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that world football governing body FIFA has formally accepted the resignations of its former principal officers and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.
The NFF made this known on Tuesday while dismissing a purported letter allegedly issued by FIFA concerning the recent changes in the federation’s leadership.
The federation described the document circulating in some sections of the media as “totally fake”, insisting that FIFA had already acknowledged and accepted the resignations of the affected officials.
The NFF further disclosed that discussions between the National Sports Commission, the NFF administration and the Confederation of African Football are ongoing with FIFA on comprehensive reforms aimed at repositioning Nigerian football.
According to the federation, the talks are focused on developing a roadmap for the reforms in accordance with the relevant rules, statutes and regulations governing football administration.
In a statement, the NFF said, “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, and 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.”
Former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau confirmed his resignation at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, August 27, bringing his tenure to an early end.
His resignation came before the expiration of his tenure, which was scheduled for September.
Following the development, the NFF constituted an interim administrative structure, appointing former Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme as Interim General Secretary and former head of the Media and Communications Department, Ademola Olajire, as Interim Deputy General Secretary.
The leadership changes came amid growing concerns over the state of Nigerian football and increasing calls for far-reaching reforms within the country’s football administration.
