Nigeria suspends football federation elections amid reform talks

Nigeria's football federation elections scheduled for 27 September have been suspended as officials work on a programme of reforms following senior leadership resignations, BBC Sport Africa reported. The process involves talks between a joint delegation from Fifa and the Confederation of African Football and Nigeria's National Sports Commission over the future structure of the game.

Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and several executive committee members resigned last month amid mounting criticism. Emmanuel Ikpeme has since been appointed interim general secretary, with Ademola Olajire serving as interim deputy general secretary. President Bola Tinubu has called for reform following repeated failures, according to the BBC's report.

The administrative changes follow setbacks for both senior national teams. Nigeria's men missed the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, while the women's team also failed to qualify for their next World Cup. BBC Sport Africa reported disappointing results in youth and African club competitions as well, although Nigeria recently reached the quarter-finals of the Under-20 Women's World Cup.

Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami told the BBC that replacing officials should be accompanied by a wider restructuring. The 74-year-old, who helped Nigeria win their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980, criticised the country's football administration and called for a development blueprint. His concerns covered grassroots football, player development, academies, coaching methods and the pathways available to players at home and abroad.

Sports journalist Fisayo Dairo similarly argued in the report that reform needed to go beyond changing the leadership. He called for a framework to develop national teams, identify grassroots talent and involve a broader range of stakeholders in governance. Dairo also said corporate participation was needed to help the administration generate funding, making financial development part of his proposed changes.

Infrastructure is another concern raised by Odegbami, who pointed to the deterioration of several historic Nigerian stadiums. He cited facilities in Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna and Calabar as examples of what he regarded as neglected football heritage. The institutional response remains a work in progress: the BBC reported that the governing bodies and sports commission were working towards a reform roadmap, with the scheduled federation elections suspended.