Aso Rock poised to act as NFF extends scribe’s tenure

Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi[/caption]

Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are heading for a collision course with the federal government over the tenure extension of its Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

The Guardian’s reliable source confirmed that Dr. Sanusi may have been offered another three-year tenure extension, expected to run from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. Aso Rock is reportedly bent on taking strict action against the NFF for allegedly acting in absolute disregard of the Public Service Rules (PSR).

According to Federal Government Establishment Regulations (PSR 2021 020402), a contract appointment is a temporary appointment, non-pensionable, and for a specific period whose duration should be one (1) or two (2) years, renewable but not exceeding four (4) years in total, as stipulated by PSR 2012 020405 (7).

Dr. Sanusi was initially appointed as a contract staff of the federation, becoming the NFF Secretary General in 2015 for a four-year term. His tenure was extended in 2019 for an additional five years by the former NFF board led by Amaju Pinnick. With his current tenure set to end this December, the NFF appears determined to approve a further extension.

“I can authoritatively tell you that Dr Sanusi has been offered another three-year contract extension despite warnings from stakeholders. It has been concluded behind closed doors, which is contrary to Nigeria’s Public Service Rules.

“We are hearing that the federal government will be wielding its big stick against top Sunday Dankaro House members anytime soon,” a source disclosed.

The Guardian gathered that Dr Sanusi has already earned the backing of notable northern emirs and top NFF members to retain the position, which earns him a whopping $10,000 monthly. This move has reportedly unsettled the newly created National Sports Commission (NSC), tasked with reshaping the Glass House.

It is worth noting that, before his redeployment to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, former Minister of Sports John Owan Enoh opposed the NFF’s plans to extend Dr Sanusi’s tenure, citing contradictions with Federal Government Establishment Regulations.

Unknown to many Nigerians, the NFF had initially included the official announcement of Sanusi’s tenure extension in its communique at the last annual congress held in Asaba but removed it following a stern warning from former Sports Minister John Enoh.

However, the NFF’s latest decision to proceed with the extension demonstrates the body’s apparent readiness to face any consequences from Aso Rock.

“Former Minister of Sports John Enoh maintained his stand against the NFF’s plan to grant Sanusi a tenure extension, but the FA chieftains moved on with their plans after Enoh was redeployed by President Bola Tinubu,” an insider, who pleaded anonymity, revealed to The Guardian.

In an effort to attract technocrats to the job, the role of Secretary General became a contract appointment, with the Executive Committee empowered to appoint its principal officers based on its statutes.

This situation may lead Nigeria into another head-on collision with the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), whose laws frown upon government interference. It remains to be seen how the federal government and NFF will reach a compromise to avoid a potential FIFA ban, especially with the Super Eagles set to resume 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda.