The directive was contained in a letter dated September 7 and signed by FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, Elkhan Mammadov, and addressed to NFF Acting Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme.
The letter, which was copied to CAF, said the two football governing bodies were assessing the “legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications” arising from recent developments within the NFF.
The assessment follows communications received by FIFA and CAF concerning the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, members of the Executive Committee and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, as well as correspondence from other Nigerian football stakeholders.
FIFA and CAF also referred to a September 1 meeting at FIFA House in Zurich involving representatives of FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“FIFA and CAF are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the current circumstances within the NFF,” the letter stated.
The two organisations said their review would consider the relevant facts, the NFF’s regulatory framework and the positions presented by various stakeholders.
“At this stage, FIFA and CAF have not reached any conclusions regarding the matters under review and no determination has been made with respect to any potential next steps,” they added.
The directive reinforces an earlier decision by the NFF to suspend preparations for its elective congress, which had been scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
FIFA and CAF specifically instructed the NFF administration not to take any further steps or decisions connected to the electoral process until their assessment has been completed.
“Furthermore, and without prejudice to the outcome of the ongoing assessment, FIFA and CAF request that the ongoing electoral process be suspended and that no further steps or decisions be taken in connection to that process until further notice,” the letter said.
The football bodies said the measure was intended to preserve the status quo while they reviewed the situation and consulted relevant stakeholders.
The NFF was also directed to communicate the decision to all relevant stakeholders, including its electoral bodies.
FIFA and CAF further announced plans to send a joint assessment mission to Abuja “at the earliest possible opportunity” to engage with representatives of the NFF administration, NFF members, electoral bodies and the National Sports Commission.
According to the letter, the mission will gather the information required to enable both organisations to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the crisis.
Ikpeme was asked to coordinate logistics and facilitate meetings with the relevant stakeholders.
FIFA and CAF said the findings of the assessment would determine whether recommendations or proposals should subsequently be submitted to their respective decision-making bodies.
They, however, cautioned stakeholders against making assumptions about possible outcomes.
“Until such time, the outcome of the assessment remains open and no assumptions should be made as to any action that FIFA and CAF may or may not take,” they said.
The intervention follows the resignation of Gusau on August 27, just 34 days before the end of his four-year tenure.
Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee also resigned, creating a leadership vacuum within the federation.
The NFF subsequently appointed Ikpeme to oversee the secretariat as Acting General Secretary, while Ademola Olajire became Acting Deputy General Secretary.
The federation also suspended its electoral process and introduced interim administrative measures affecting the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and Nationwide League One.
The crisis has emerged during a difficult period for Nigerian football, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football covering governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability.
He also directed the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF and other football stakeholders while engaging FIFA and CAF.
The latest FIFA-CAF intervention follows the September 1 meeting in Zurich, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino met a Nigerian delegation led by National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko.
The discussions reportedly focused on institutional governance, football development and ways FIFA could support stronger structures and development pathways in Nigeria.
For now, the NFF elective congress scheduled for September 27 remains suspended pending the outcome of the joint FIFA-CAF assessment.
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