The development comes as FIFA has invited Nigeria to Zurich, according to sources, who did not disclose further details about the purpose of the invitation.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed its Deputy General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, as Acting General Secretary following the resignation of Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

Ikpeme is expected to officially assume office on Friday, August 28, 2026, after Sanusi resigned amid a major leadership shake-up at the football governing body.

The appointment was made to ensure continuity in its day-to-day operations pending the next phase of the federation’s administrative process.

The development comes as FIFA has invited Nigeria to Zurich, according to sources, who did not disclose further details about the purpose of the invitation.

Ikpeme will oversee the NFF Secretariat and coordinate its daily activities while the federation awaits further developments regarding the proposed Normalisation Committee to be named by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

His appointment comes as the NFF faces a major leadership crisis following the resignation of President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Sanusi and, reportedly, all members of the federation’s Executive Committee.

Gusau and Sanusi resigned on Thursday against the backdrop of growing public dissatisfaction with the performances of Nigeria’s national teams.

Gusau, who was elected NFF president at the Annual General Assembly of Nigerian Football in Benin City, Edo State, on September 30, 2022, stepped down 34 days before the end of his four-year tenure.

At a press conference at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, Gusau said he had consulted his family, friends and stakeholders in the football community before deciding to resign.

He said his decision was taken in the overriding interest of Nigerian football.

“My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” Gusau said.

Gusau, who also served as President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B, said he was leaving office satisfied with some of the achievements recorded under his administration.

He highlighted the increased focus on coaching education, noting that coaching courses had been organised across virtually all licence categories, while the long-awaited CAF A-License course was scheduled to begin on September 13.

He also cited improvements in the domestic league calendar and refereeing, as well as the construction of a 68-room players’ hostel and new training pitches at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The outgoing NFF president further pointed to Nigeria’s silver and bronze medals at the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the Super Falcons’ victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

However, his administration came under increasing pressure following a series of disappointing results involving Nigeria’s national teams.

The Super Falcons recently failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s participation in every edition of the tournament since it began in China in 1991.

The setback followed the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was held in the United States, Canada and Mexico

Nigeria’s U-20 men’s team also failed to qualify for the next Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The string of disappointing results intensified calls for changes within the NFF and prompted the federation to consider broader reforms to its administration.

The development also comes as the federation awaits further decisions from the National Sports Commission on the proposed Normalisation Committee.

With Gusau, Sanusi and other NFF officials exiting, Ikpeme is now expected to provide administrative continuity at the federation while the next phase of Nigerian football’s leadership transition unfolds.