FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed the world football governing body’s readiness to support Nigeria’s efforts to overhaul its football administration and create stronger pathways for young players.
Infantino made the commitment after meeting a Nigerian delegation led by National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
The discussions centred on institutional development, governance, youth development and areas where FIFA can further assist Nigeria in strengthening its football structures.
Infantino said the meeting provided an opportunity to align on a shared vision for the future of Nigerian football, while emphasising the need for stronger systems capable of creating more opportunities for young talents.
The FIFA president also welcomed Nigeria’s continued engagement with the world football body and expressed his desire to see the country’s game progress through improved structures and development pathways.
Dikko described the meeting as an important step in the ongoing process of restructuring Nigerian football, with the National Sports Commission, the NFF administration, CAF and FIFA involved in discussions on a comprehensive reform roadmap.
The Nigerian delegation included NSC Director-General Bukola Olapade, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme and the federation’s Director of Legal Services, Okey Obi. CAF Second Vice-President Kurt-Okraku and FIFA’s Director of Member Associations for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, also attended.
The engagement comes against the backdrop of a major leadership crisis within the Nigeria Football Federation. FIFA recently accepted the resignations of former NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.
FIFA and CAF have subsequently continued consultations with Nigerian authorities and football stakeholders over a roadmap for reforms. The process is expected to address governance, administration, stakeholder representation and the development of football at various levels.
However, FIFA and CAF have stressed that their assessment of the situation remains ongoing and that no final decisions have yet been reached on the next steps in Nigeria’s football reform process.
The latest meeting therefore represents another stage in efforts to establish a mo
