By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport

Our programmes will be derailed [if we are banned] but it will not be of our making Nigeria FA chairman Ibrahim Galadima

The failure of Nigeria to complete needed reforms to its football statutes could provoke an imminent ban from international competitions.

Fifa had given Nigeria until the end of last year to complete the reform of its statutes or be excluded from the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.

Although the West African country was given a reprieve to complete the reforms at the earliest possible time in the new year, a bill abrogating the previous law governing the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) is yet to be passed by the national assembly, the country's legislative body.

Although the NFA congress approved a new set of laws for its operations, the previous law, which allowed the government to nominate members to the NFA board - in contravention of Fifa statutes - remains on the statute books.

"We have come to the end of our patience with Nigeria," a high-ranking Fifa official, who declined to be named, told BBC Sport.

"Nigeria is playing a game of poker [with their international football future].

"We have been following what has been happening [with regards to the reforms of the statutes]... Things will happen when they will happen," the source said.

Ibrahim Galadima, NFA chairman, told BBC Sport his association is powerless to speed up the pace of reforms to avoid the Fifa hammer.

"As far as the NFA is concerned, we can do no more.

"We have passed the needed changes to our laws but the rest must be done by the government.

"Our programmes will be derailed [if we are banned] but it will not be of our making.

"We are hoping and praying that this matter will be resolved soon."