FIFA has approved plans for a normalisation committee to run the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until May 2027.
In a letter to the NFF’s interim leadership on Thursday, FIFA said it will, in conjunction with CAF, appoint committee members “as soon as possible”.
“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,” the letter reads.
The NFF is expected to hold new elections before the committee’s tenure expires. None of the panel members will be eligible for the positions to be filled in the elections.
Pending the appointment of the committee members, Emmanuel Ikpeme, the NFF acting general secretary, will continue to manage the federation’s affairs.
FIFA officials visited Nigeria in September to confirm the absence of government influence after most NFF executives resigned in August.
Ibrahim Gusau, NFF president, and Mohammed Sanusi, the general secretary, both resigned after pressure over disappointing performances by various national teams.
Shortly after the exits, President Bola Tinubu ordered a “comprehensive reform” of Nigerian football to “overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments”.