Musa Mohammed still has questions to answer for Fifa

The Nigerian government has approved the scrapping of a law which could have resulted in an eventual ban from international football by world governing body Fifa.

Following a cabinet meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the government approved a bill for the controversial Decree 101 of 1992 to be repealed by the National Assembly.

The bill also includes a name change for the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).

"The bill approved by government gives the chairman of the NFA, which will then be known as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the power to appoint the secretary-general of the association," sports minister Musa Mohammed said.

"It also gives the chairman executive powers."

Fifa issues new Nigeria ultimatum

Yet Mohammed must still rescind two sporting appointments he made in December if Nigeria is to avoid a potential Fifa ban from world football.

Under Decree 101, the sports ministry appointed the secretary-general, who is also the chief executive officer of Nigerian football, while the NFA chairman held no executive powers.

Yet appointing football association board members contravenes Fifa statutes, that wish to see members voted into office in elections.

"The decree has been contentious and a source of concern for former and present governments of Nigeria," Mohammed told BBC Sport.

"That's why the federal goverment decided to replace it with a new law."

Having been approved by the government, the bill must now pass through the National Assembly before it can become law.