The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday dismissed as fake a circulating letter purportedly from FIFA seeking clarification over alleged government interference in its affairs, as a Nigerian delegation met FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Zurich.
In a statement posted on its X account, the NFF said: “The NFF has debunked news of a ‘letter’ circulating in sections of the media as being from world football governing body, FIFA. It is totally fake. FIFA has already accepted the resignations of former principal officers and Members of the NFF Exco.”
The denial coincided with a meeting between FIFA’s president and a Nigerian delegation that included National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko, Director-General Bukola Olopade, and former NFF president Amaju Pinnick.
Discussions focused on the ongoing restructuring of Nigerian football, recent leadership changes at the NFF and measures needed to advance the sport, according to the federation.
The meeting followed the resignation last week of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of his executive committee. Gusau, whose term was due to end in September, announced his departure at a news conference in Abuja amid pressure over the state of the game.
An interim administrative structure has been put in place, with Emmanuel Ikpeme serving as interim general secretary and Ademola Olajire as interim deputy general secretary.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for a second consecutive time, while the Super Falcons missed out on the 2027 Women’s World Cup — their first absence since the tournament began in 1991.
President Bola Tinubu has called for reforms in Nigerian football following what he described as “repeated failures.”
The purported FIFA letter had claimed the world body was concerned that Gusau’s resignation followed a directive from the Nigerian presidency. It allegedly cited FIFA statutes on the independence of member associations and warned of possible sanctions, including suspension.
The NFF insisted the document was not authentic and that FIFA had already accepted the resignations of the former officials.
