In a move aimed at resolving the ongoing leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), FIFA has approved the formation of a normalisation committee to manage the affairs of the federation until May 2027, according to reports from multiple sources. The committee’s appointment follows a recommendation from FIFA’s Crisis Committee after the NFF failed to hold elections for new leadership. The normalisation committee is expected to oversee the day-to-day activities of the NFF, with a focus on restoring stability, promoting integrity, and preparing for fresh elections. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, in a letter addressed to the acting Secretary General of the NFF, Emmanuel Ikpeme, stated that the committee would take charge of the football house pending the elections. FIFA has not specified when the committee began operating. According to Premium Times, FIFA also set a deadline for the committee’s tenure, stating that its mandate would end once it had completed its assigned tasks, but no later than 31 May 2027. The NFF has been plagued by internal squabbles and court cases, with the crisis reaching a peak in August when the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, suspended the NFF’s former president, Amaju Pinnick, and four other executive committee members. The crisis has led to delays in the national team’s preparations for various tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualifiers. The appointment of the normalisation committee is expected to bring some stability to Nigerian football and pave the way for fresh elections and a return to normalcy.
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