Ikpeme Named Interim NFF General Secretary Amid Mass Resignations
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has endorsed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme to oversee the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretariat as interim General Secretary, following the resignation of key officials on Thursday, including the President, the outgoing General Secretary and several Executive Committee members, prompting an urgent restructuring of the federation's leadership.
Resignations Trigger Interim Appointments
Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, who until now served as Deputy General Secretary, was named to take over after the resignation of NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, and members of the Executive Committee. The mass resignations left a leadership vacuum that required immediate action. Dr Ademola Olajire, previously the NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, has also been appointed interim Deputy General Secretary to support the transition.
Reforms and League Administration Overhaul
The NSC further announced the suspension of all processes connected with the NFF Elective Congress, which had been scheduled to take place on September 27, and said a fresh electoral process will begin after comprehensive reforms are completed in consultation with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). As part of the restructuring, chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers. Where a league’s COO is not a member of staff of the NFF, the acting General Secretary will be responsible for deploying a new COO from the federation.
According to the NSC, the interim measures are aimed at ensuring continuity in the administration of Nigerian football during the transition period. The commission added that consultations will continue with FIFA, CAF, the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to develop a roadmap for the proposed comprehensive reforms and determine the next steps for Nigerian football.