Ikpeme Named Interim NFF General Secretary As NSC Suspends Election
Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme has been appointed interim General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the resignation of key officials of the football governing body.
Ikpeme, who previously served as the NFF Deputy General Secretary, will oversee the federation’s secretariat during the transition period after NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee resigned on Thursday.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) also appointed former NFF Director of Media and Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, as interim Deputy General Secretary.
In another major development, the NSC announced the suspension of all activities relating to the NFF Elective Congress, which had been scheduled for September 27.
According to the commission, a fresh electoral process will be initiated after the completion of comprehensive reforms to Nigerian football.
The reforms will be undertaken in consultation with world football governing body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders.
As part of the restructuring process, the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs).
The NSC said where a league’s COO is not an NFF staff member, the acting General Secretary will appoint a new COO from within the federation.
The commission explained that the interim arrangements are designed to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football while the reform process gets underway.
Consultations are expected to continue with FIFA, CAF and other stakeholders as the NSC works towards developing a roadmap for the proposed reforms and determining the next steps for the NFF.
Ikpeme, who previously served as the NFF Deputy General Secretary, will oversee the federation’s secretariat during the transition period after NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee resigned on Thursday.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) also appointed former NFF Director of Media and Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, as interim Deputy General Secretary.
In another major development, the NSC announced the suspension of all activities relating to the NFF Elective Congress, which had been scheduled for September 27.
According to the commission, a fresh electoral process will be initiated after the completion of comprehensive reforms to Nigerian football.
The reforms will be undertaken in consultation with world football governing body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders.
As part of the restructuring process, the chairmen, appointed directors and chief executive officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and Nationwide League One (NLO) have been directed to hand over the administration of their respective leagues to their Chief Operating Officers (COOs).
The NSC said where a league’s COO is not an NFF staff member, the acting General Secretary will appoint a new COO from within the federation.
The commission explained that the interim arrangements are designed to ensure continuity in the administration of Nigerian football while the reform process gets underway.
Consultations are expected to continue with FIFA, CAF and other stakeholders as the NSC works towards developing a roadmap for the proposed reforms and determining the next steps for the NFF.
