The wait for a new leadership structure at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has taken another turn, with fresh reports emerging about the possible chairman of the proposed normalisation committee.
Two Nigerian football publications have presented seemingly different accounts of the process, raising questions about whether FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have already settled on the person who will lead the intervention panel or are still completing the necessary checks.
One report claims that the two governing bodies have approved Senior Advocate of Nigeria AbdulHakeem Uthman Mustapha as chairman of the committee.
Another, citing the National Sports Commission (NSC), says the prospective members are still undergoing FIFA’s screening and integrity checks, with the final approval yet to be communicated.
Both accounts have emerged against the background of a leadership crisis that has left Nigerian football awaiting the formal constitution of an intervention panel.
So, what exactly has happened, and do the two reports necessarily contradict each other?
In a report published on Wednesday, November 4, OwnGoalNigeria claimed that FIFA and CAF had approved Mustapha’s appointment as head of the NFF normalisation committee.
The publication described the development as an exclusive revelation, adding that the proposed committee would also include former NFF board member Chris Green, who currently serves as chairman of Rivers United.
According to the report, the approval followed a prolonged process involving the two football governing bodies after the names of prospective members had been submitted for consideration.
OwnGoalNigeria also highlighted Mustapha’s experience in football administration and legal affairs, noting that he is a member of FIFA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee and previously served as president of the CAF Appeal Committee.
Those credentials, the publication suggested, could be valuable in overseeing the proposed transition and restoring confidence in Nigerian football administration.
However, the report did not reproduce an official FIFA or CAF communication confirming the appointment.
What the NSC says about the process
A separate report by BSN Sports on the same day presented a different picture, quoting Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade.
Daniel confirmed that the names of prospective members had been submitted to FIFA but said the governing body was still conducting screening and integrity checks.
“Yes, the names of the members of the committee have been submitted to FIFA. But right now, FIFA is doing what they call a screening process and integrity test for all the people whose names have been submitted to serve as members of the Normalisation Committee.
“It is not a one-day thing. The process is ongoing, and interviews are also being conducted. As soon as they are done, they will be able to say they are satisfied with the people selected to run the affairs of Nigerian football,” Daniel said.
He further explained that the process involved collaboration between FIFA and the Nigerian sports authorities, rather than being an independent exercise by the NSC.
The NFF’s acting interim General Secretary, Dr Ademola Olajire, also pointed towards FIFA and CAF when asked about the delay, indicating that the next official announcement rested with the two football governing bodies.
The NSC’s position, therefore, is that the process of confirming the committee’s membership had not yet been completed at the time of Daniel’s comments.
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There is, however, another development that provides useful context.
Leadership newspaper reported on Wednesday that Mustapha and Chris Green had passed FIFA’s integrity screening and were expected to be part of a three-member normalisation committee.
According to the publication, Mustapha had emerged as a leading contender for the chairmanship, while Green was expected to represent the state football association chairmen.
Leadership also reported that FIFA and CAF were expected to unveil the proposed committee by Friday, November 6, although the identity of the third member was yet to be established.
Crucially, the report did not present the committee’s composition as officially confirmed. It described the two men as having passed the screening process while the formal announcement remained outstanding.
This additional information offers a possible explanation for why the reports appear to differ.
It is possible for individual nominees to have completed or passed parts of the integrity screening while the wider process of finalising and officially approving the committee remains ongoing.
That possibility, however, does not independently establish OwnGoalNigeria’s claim that Mustapha has already received final approval as chairman from both FIFA and CAF.
What FIFA has officially confirmed
The distinction between approval to establish a normalisation committee and approval of its individual members is particularly important.
On October 22, the NFF announced that the Bureau of the FIFA Council had approved the appointment of a normalisation committee to manage the federation’s affairs pending fresh elections.
However, the communication from FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström stated that the committee’s members would be jointly appointed by FIFA and CAF.
“The normalisation committee shall consist of a suitable number of members, who will be appointed jointly by FIFA and CAF as soon as possible,” the letter stated.
FIFA also stipulated that the committee’s mandate would end once it had completed its assigned responsibilities, but no later than May 31, 2027.
None of its members would be eligible to contest positions in the subsequent NFF elections.
The October 22 announcement confirmed the establishment of the intervention process, but it did not identify Mustapha, Green or any other individual as a member.
That is why the latest reports about the proposed chairman and the ongoing screening process need to be distinguished from the original FIFA decision.
Why the normalisation committee matters
The intervention follows the mass resignation of the NFF leadership in August, led by former president Ibrahim Musa Gusau, which created the need for a temporary administrative arrangement.
The proposed committee is expected to oversee the federation’s affairs, implement necessary reforms and organise fresh elections into the NFF executive structure.
Its task is therefore bigger than simply filling the leadership vacuum. It is expected to provide a pathway towards a new administration while addressing concerns about the governance of Nigerian football.
The May 31, 2027 deadline also places a time limit on the process, making the formal constitution of the committee an important next step.
Until the members are officially announced, the NFF Secretariat is expected to continue handling the federation’s day-to-day administration.
What we know so far
- FIFA has approved the establishment of an NFF normalisation committee, with its members to be jointly appointed by FIFA and CAF.
- OwnGoalNigeria claims Mustapha has been approved as chairman, with Chris Green among the proposed members.
- The NSC says prospective members have been submitted to FIFA and are undergoing integrity checks and interviews.
- Leadership reports that Mustapha and Green have passed FIFA’s screening, but says the formal announcement is still awaited.
- The committee’s mandate is to oversee the NFF transition and organise fresh elections, with May 31, 2027 as the latest deadline.
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The next confirmation from FIFA and CAF will determine whether Mustapha has indeed been selected to lead the committee and who will join him in overseeing the next phase of Nigerian football administration.
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