By Paul Joseph
World football governing body FIFA has formally accepted the resignations of principal officers of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as efforts intensify to develop a comprehensive reform framework for Nigerian football.
The development followed a high-level meeting held on Tuesday at FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland, involving officials of FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the NFF administration.
The meeting focused on the next phase of efforts to restructure Nigerian football, with all parties agreeing to continue consultations aimed at producing a roadmap for reforms in the short, medium and long term.
FIFA also pledged to sustain its engagement with the Nigerian government, CAF, the NSC and the NFF administration as stakeholders work towards establishing a more inclusive and stable football administration.
The proposed reform process is expected to pave the way for the emergence of a new and properly structured NFF, while creating an enabling environment capable of promoting peace, stability and sustainable growth across Nigerian football.
National Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, led the Nigerian delegation to the meeting in Zurich.
He was accompanied by the Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade; former NFF President and former FIFA Council Member, Amaju Pinnick; NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme; and the federation’s Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi.
Pinnick attended the meeting in his official capacity as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee.
Also present were CAF Second Vice-President, Kurt Okraku, and FIFA Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes.
Dikko said the ongoing discussions represented an important opportunity to rebuild Nigerian football on a stronger foundation.
“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,” he said.
“There is no doubt Nigeria Football will emerge much better and properly structured after the conclusion of this process.”
The Zurich meeting is expected to be followed by further engagements as FIFA, CAF and Nigerian authorities work towards finalising the reform roadmap and implementing changes aimed at improving the administration and overall development of football in the country.
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