*FIFA President Gianni Infantino (fourth from left), Shehu Dikko (fourth from right), Bukola Olopade (second from left), Amaju Pinnick (third from left), Emmanuel Ikpeme (second from right), Kurt Okraku (third from right, Okey Obi (left) and Gelson Fernandes (right) at FIFA House in Zurich on Tuesday.

NFF

Abuja, September 1, 2026 (www.crestnewsonline.ng) World football ruling body FIFA on Tuesday in Zurich, Switzerland accepted the resignation of principal officers of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The Federation, in a statement by its Communications Department, disclosed that FIFA further pledged to continue the engagement with the Nigerian Government, the NFF Administration and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on a new roadmap for comprehensive reforms of Nigerian football.

“At a meeting inside FIFA House in Zurich, attended by FIFA and CAF officials, as well as CAF advisors, National Sports Commission (NSC) and NFF Administration, it was agreed that we should all proceed with engagements and interactions to fine-tune a roadmap that will ensure the delivery of the expected reforms both in the short, medium and long term.

”This is to ensure that an inclusive new NFF emerges, going forward, and with the enabling environment peaceful and stable to be in position to deliver success both on and off the pitch for the benefit and growth of Nigerian football,” the statement explained.

It stated that the NSC Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, led the Nigerian delegation, which also included the Director-General (DG) of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and NFF’s Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi.

Former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council Member Amaju Pinnick attended the meeting in his official capacity as Special Advisor to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams’ Competitions Committee, while CAF Second Vice-President Kurt-Okraku and FIFA’s Director of Member Associations (Africa), Gelson Fernandes, were also in attendance.

“Mutual engagement among the NSC, the 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 rules, regulations and Statutes.

”Indeed, there is no doubt Nigerian football will emerge much better and properly–structured after the conclusion of this process,” Dikko stated while speaking on the development.(www.crestnewsonline.ng)

*Edited by Olawale Lawanson Alabi