FIFA has approved the appointment of a normalisation committee to manage the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until fresh elections are held to elect a new executive committee.

The NFF announced the decision in a statement issued by its Communications Department on Thursday, confirming that the Bureau of the FIFA Council had approved the move.

According to a letter signed by FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström and addressed to Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, the committee’s members will be jointly appointed by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“The normalisation committee shall consist of a suitable number of members, who will be appointed jointly by FIFA and CAF as soon as possible,” the letter stated.

The committee will remain in office until it completes its assigned responsibilities, with 31 May 2027 set as the latest date for the end of its mandate.

“The period during which the normalisation committee shall perform its functions shall expire as soon as it has fulfilled all of its tasks, but by no later than 31 May 2027,” FIFA added.

The world football governing body also confirmed that members of the committee will not be permitted to contest any positions in the forthcoming NFF elections.

“None of the members of the normalisation committee will be eligible for the positions to be filled during the upcoming NFF elections under any circumstances,” the letter stated.

Until the committee is formally appointed, the NFF secretariat will continue to handle the federation’s day-to-day administration and oversee the running of Nigerian football.

The decision comes amid a leadership crisis at the NFF, following the resignation of president Ibrahim Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the federation’s executive committee on 27 August 2026.

The departures followed mounting criticism of Nigerian football after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons also missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The mass resignations left the federation facing a leadership vacuum and disrupted plans for NFF elections that had been scheduled for 27 September.

FIFA’s intervention is expected to provide an interim administrative structure while preparations are made for fresh elections and the federation works towards restoring stability in Nigerian football.