The National Sports Commission has reportedly become divided over the choice of chairman for a proposed Normalisation Committee following the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau and other board members.

The NFF leadership stepped down amid growing pressure over the management of Nigerian football, including concerns surrounding the use of funds and the poor performances of the country’s national teams.

NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed his resignation on Thursday, saying reports of his exit alongside Gusau were true.

The leadership crisis has created the need for a Normalisation Committee to oversee the affairs of the federation and organise fresh elections.

However, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director-General Bukola Olopade were reportedly divided over who should lead the committee.

Sources said Dikko was backing former NFF technical committee chairman Musa Ahmadu, while Olopade preferred former NFF president Amaju Pinnick.

The disagreement was said to have stalled decisions and raised concerns among football stakeholders, with fears that prolonged administrative disputes could affect players, sponsors and Nigeria’s relationship with FIFA.

The proposed Normalisation Committee is expected to oversee the NFF for about three months, with its major responsibility being to conduct fresh elections for a new executive board.

The development could affect the NFF election earlier scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The crisis also followed investigations into the NFF’s management of the N17bn Federal Government intervention fund released to the federation for players’ wages and bonuses.