Dikko says FIFA backs Nigerian football reforms, may appoint normalisation committee

World football governing body FIFA has backed plans to reform Nigeria’s football administration and could establish a normalisation committee to oversee the process, according to National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko.

Dikko disclosed this after discussions involving Nigerian officials, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football following the mass resignation of senior Nigeria Football Federation officials.

Former NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the board resigned in August, creating uncertainty over the federation’s leadership structure.

Dikko said the Nigerian government presented FIFA with proposals for a comprehensive overhaul of football governance, including changes to administrative structures and the NFF electoral process.

According to him, FIFA accepted the need for reform but stressed that any changes must be carried out in accordance with football’s governing rules and procedures.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier called for stronger structures and development pathways in Nigerian football following discussions with a Nigerian delegation in Zurich.

FIFA normalisation committee under consideration

Dikko said one possible option is the establishment of a FIFA-appointed normalisation committee.

Such a committee would temporarily manage the NFF while carrying out specified reforms and preparing the federation for a new leadership process.

According to Dikko, the committee would be appointed by FIFA rather than solely by the Nigerian government and would operate under clearly defined terms of reference.

He said its mandate could last between six months and one year, depending on the scale of reforms required.

Dikko also said members of a normalisation committee would be expected to remain independent and would not be permitted to use their positions as a platform to contest immediately for NFF office.

The committee would report to FIFA while consulting with Nigerian authorities during the reform process.

NFF electoral system could also change

The proposed reforms could extend to the way NFF elections are conducted.

Dikko said discussions include making the electoral process more transparent and considering a system where presidential candidates present the teams with which they intend to run the federation before voting takes place.

Under such an arrangement, voters would know not only the presidential candidate but also key members of the candidate’s proposed administration.

The NSC chairman said reforms would likely be divided into immediate, medium-term and long-term measures, meaning some changes could continue beyond the lifespan of any temporary committee