NFF Orders NPFL, NNL, NWFL, NLO Bosses To Hand Over League Administration

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the country’s four major domestic leagues to hand over their administrative responsibilities to their respective Chief Operating Officers (COOs).

The directive affects the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO).

The move is part of the federation’s ongoing restructuring of Nigerian football following the recent resignation of the NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, and members of the Executive Committee.

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According to the NFF, the measure is temporary and is intended to maintain stability in the administration of the domestic leagues while broader reforms are being worked out in consultation with FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Federal Government and other stakeholders.

Under the new arrangement, the COOs, who are members of the NFF staff, will take charge of the day-to-day administration of the respective leagues.

The federation said where an existing COO is not a member of the NFF staff, the Acting General Secretary will deploy a replacement from within the federation.

“These interim measures are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition and pending conclusion of engagements with FIFA, CAF, Government and stakeholders to design a roadmap towards the comprehensive reforms envisaged for Nigeria football, and the next steps for activation,” the NFF said in a statement posted on its official X handle.

The NFF said the interim arrangement would allow league activities to continue while the federation works towards comprehensive reforms and engages relevant football authorities and stakeholders on the next phase of Nigerian football governance.

TVC News had earlier reported that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has suspended the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) ongoing electoral process and endorsed its Deputy General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, to oversee the federation’s secretariat as interim General Secretary.

The development followed the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee on Thursday.

According to a statement published on the official NFF website on Thursday, Dr Ademola Olajire, who was the Director of Media and Communications, has also been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary.

The commission directed that all processes relating to the NFF Elective Congress scheduled for September 27 be suspended.