Delegations from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have arrived in Nigeria for consultations with football stakeholders as efforts intensify to resolve the leadership crisis within the Nigeria Football Federation.

The meetings are scheduled to begin in Abuja on Monday, September 14, 2026, with officials of the world and continental football governing bodies expected to engage the NFF administration, members of the federation’s Congress and other major stakeholders.

According to a schedule reported on Monday, the FIFA and CAF officials are expected to visit the NFF headquarters in Abuja at about 11 a.m. before proceeding to the Abuja Continental Hotel for broader stakeholder consultations.

The talks come amid uncertainty over the future leadership and governance structure of Nigerian football following the resignation of former NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the federation’s Executive Committee.

FIFA formally accepted the resignations earlier in September and said consultations would continue with the Federal Government, the NFF administration and CAF on a roadmap for comprehensive reforms.

The discussions are expected to focus on the leadership situation, governance concerns and the framework for restoring stability to Nigerian football.

Representatives expected at the consultations include officials from State Football Associations, the coaches’ association, referees, players’ representatives and Nigeria’s domestic football leagues.

The NFF had earlier selected nine State FA chairmen and 18 other representatives to participate in the engagement with FIFA and CAF.

Representatives from the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria Women Football League, Nigeria National League and Nationwide League One are also expected to participate.

Former NFF presidents and secretaries-general have also reportedly been invited to the consultations, alongside representatives of the National Sports Commission and other football stakeholders.

The meetings follow weeks of uncertainty surrounding the administration of Nigerian football.

On August 27, the NFF announced that Emmanuel Ikpeme, previously Deputy General Secretary, would oversee the federation’s secretariat following the leadership resignations.

The federation also suspended preparations for its elective congress, which had been scheduled for later in September, saying a fresh electoral process would follow consultations on comprehensive football reforms.

A subsequent communication from FIFA and CAF also called for the electoral process to remain suspended while the two bodies assessed the legal, administrative, governance and electoral implications of developments within the NFF.

FIFA and CAF have maintained that no final decision has been reached on the structure that will emerge from the process.

The Abuja consultations are therefore expected to give the international football bodies an opportunity to hear directly from different constituencies within Nigerian football before determining possible next steps.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, with emphasis on governance, accountability, stakeholder representation, development pathways and the administration of domestic competitions.

The Federal Government has said the reform process should involve appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while ensuring that Nigeria continues to meet its obligations under international football rules.

Attention will now turn to the outcome of the Abuja meetings and whether the consultations will produce a clearer roadmap for the leadership, governance and eventual electoral future of the NFF.