The directive was contained in a letter dated 7 September 2026 and addressed to NFF Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, following the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee.
FIFA and CAF said they are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative and electoral implications arising from the recent developments within the federation.
The bodies stressed, however, that no final conclusion has been reached and that no decision has been taken regarding possible sanctions or other measures.
NFF Election Suspended
As part of their immediate intervention, FIFA and CAF have instructed the NFF to suspend all ongoing electoral activities.
No further steps or decisions are to be taken in connection with the electoral process until further notice.
The suspension is intended to preserve the status quo while FIFA and CAF review the circumstances surrounding the crisis and engage with the relevant stakeholders.
The directive effectively places the planned 27 September NFF Elective Congress on hold. The NFF had already suspended preparations for the congress following the mass resignations of its principal officials.
Ikpeme Named Key Contact
FIFA and CAF have also requested that Emmanuel Ikpeme serve as the main point of contact between the NFF, FIFA and CAF during the assessment.
Ikpeme, who previously served as NFF Deputy General Secretary, was endorsed to oversee the NFF Secretariat following the resignations of the federation's top officials.
He has been tasked with facilitating communication and helping coordinate engagements between the football authorities and other stakeholders.
FIFA, CAF to Visit Abuja
In another major development, FIFA and CAF announced plans to send a joint assessment mission to Abuja at the earliest possible opportunity.
The delegation is expected to meet representatives of the:
• NFF administration
• NFF member associations
• NFF electoral bodies
• Federal Government of Nigeria
• National Sports Commission (NSC)
The mission will gather information and hear from the various stakeholders as FIFA and CAF seek a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding the NFF leadership crisis.
The planned visit follows a 1 September meeting at FIFA House in Zurich, where FIFA, CAF, the NFF administration and representatives of the Nigerian government discussed the situation and the proposed reform process.
No Decision on Sanctions Yet
Despite the suspension of the electoral process, FIFA and CAF have not announced any sanctions against Nigeria.
The two organisations said their assessment remains open and that they will only determine the appropriate next steps after reviewing the relevant facts, regulations and positions of the different stakeholders.
Any recommendations or proposals arising from the assessment could subsequently be referred to the competent decision-making bodies within FIFA and CAF.
For now, the immediate consequence is clear: Nigeria's NFF electoral process remains suspended, while FIFA and CAF prepare to visit Abuja and examine the federation's governance, administrative and electoral situation.
The development marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the crisis and could have major implications for the future leadership and governance structure of Nigerian football.