The National Sports Commission has cancelled the Nigeria Football Federation electoral congress earlier fixed for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and will instead appoint a Normalisation Committee to run football in the country for the next three months.

The decision taken last Thursday after the Super Falcons were knocked out of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup playoff by South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Morocco, has put the brakes on the Ibrahim Gusau-led board’s bid for a second term.

According to sources familiar with the development, the NSC secured FIFA’s backing before moving, with assurances given to FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding Nigeria’s support for his re-election bid. The Commission is also said to have briefed CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

With the current board now sidelined, the NSC’s initial proposal to name former NFF President Amaju Pinnick as head of the Normalisation Committee ran into opposition. Top officials in the Presidency rejected the idea, and concerns were also raised about retaining Dr Mohammed Sanusi as the committee’s secretary.

The Presidency has now given the NSC approval to announce the committee within 48 hours. A senior Presidency official who travelled out of Abuja is expected back on Monday or Tuesday, after which the full list will be made public, at the latest by Tuesday.

When contacted yesterday, a senior NSC official declined to give details, saying: “We are working, and Nigerians will hear from us very soon”.

The three-month Normalisation Committee will oversee the day-to-day running of Nigerian football and lay the groundwork for fresh elections. It is also expected to address grey areas raised by stakeholders.

The move comes amid growing frustration over the Gusau administration’s record. Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite an expanded African slot and a large pool of established players. That marks one of seven major setbacks listed against the current board.

The Falcons exit is also significant. Nigeria has played in every edition of the Women’s World Cup since it began in China in 1991.

Football in Nigeria continues to draw heavy investment. The Federal Government has provided funding and interventions for national teams and programmes over the years, while FIFA’s Forward Programme has also channelled development resources into the NFF.

The NSC says the reorganisation is aimed at restoring order, transparency and results to the country’s football administration.