NFF appoints Ikpeme interim General Secretary amid mass resignations

Emmanuel Ikpeme has been appointed interim General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, with Ademola Olajire named interim Deputy General Secretary, DAILY POST reports on August 28, 2026. The National Sports Commission endorsed the appointments following the resignation of NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and Executive Committee members on Thursday, August 27.

The shake-up comes after intense pressure on Gusau due to the Super Falcons’ quarter‑final exit at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to Cameroon, which also cost Nigeria a berth at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Adding to the turmoil, the Flying Eagles U‑20 team failed to qualify for the 2027 Africa U‑20 Cup of Nations after a 4‑1 loss to Burkina Faso in the WAFU B U‑20 Championship final.

Ikpeme, previously the NFF’s Deputy General Secretary, and Olajire, former Director of Media and Communications, now lead the federation’s day‑to‑day operations while a permanent leadership search proceeds. Their immediate tasks include stabilizing administration, preparing remaining national teams for upcoming qualifiers, and restoring confidence among sponsors and fans.

Will the interim leadership be able to reverse Nigeria’s recent downturn on the pitch and deliver lasting reforms, or is this merely a temporary fix ahead of another election cycle?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/28/nff-shake-up-ikpeme-named-interim-general-secretary/