The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, and other key members of the federation’s leadership have resigned amid mounting pressure over the state of Nigerian football.
The leadership shake-up follows a difficult period for the country’s national teams, with recent performances intensifying criticism of the NFF’s management and calls for major reforms within Nigerian football.
One of the most significant setbacks was the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, marking the first time Nigeria’s women’s national team has missed the tournament since its inception in 1991. The Super Falcons had previously appeared at every edition of the competition.
The crisis has also been linked to broader concerns over the administration of the country’s football teams, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for consecutive FIFA World Cups and disappointing results involving other national teams.
The resignations come as the NFF faces scrutiny over the management and utilisation of government funds allocated to support Nigeria’s national teams.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is among security agencies reported to be examining the utilisation of a ₦17 billion Federal Government intervention fund approved in 2024 to address outstanding wages and bonuses owed to players and national teams. Reports indicate that officials were asked to provide documentation relating to the use of the funds.
A source familiar with the matter reportedly described the document review as part of a normal investigative process, dismissing suggestions that the exercise was targeted at specific individuals.
Pressure on the NFF leadership had increased following the series of setbacks and reports that several members of the federation’s executive committee had stepped down. Earlier reports indicated that eight of the 13 board members had resigned.
The mass resignation has created uncertainty over the immediate future of football administration in Nigeria.
It could also affect the NFF electoral process, with elections into the federation’s board previously scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Attention is now expected to shift towards the process of stabilising the federation and determining the next leadership structure. Discussions surrounding a possible normalisation arrangement have also emerged as stakeholders consider the way forward for Nigerian football.
The resignation of Gusau and other senior officials marks a major turning point for the NFF and could usher in a new phase for the administration of Nigerian football. Football stakeholders will now be watching closely to see how the transition is managed and whether the changes lead to the reforms many supporters have demanded.
