Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, President, Ibrahim Gusau, has resigned from office alongside members of the federation’s Executive Committee, in a major leadership shake-up that comes at a difficult period for Nigerian football.
Gusau announced his resignation during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, according to the Super Eagles news account on X, @SSE_NGA, which reported that members of the NFF Executive Committee also stepped down from their positions.
The development has added to the uncertainty surrounding the administration of Nigerian football, coming on the heels of a series of disappointing results involving the country’s senior men’s and women’s national teams.
The immediate backdrop to the latest crisis is the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, after the team suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the play-off.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s long-standing record of qualifying for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament was first introduced, making the development a major setback for one of Africa’s most successful women’s football teams.
The Falcons’ failure to secure a place at the 2027 tournament also came after an earlier disappointing campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where the team was eliminated at the quarter-final stage following a defeat to Cameroon.
The series of setbacks has intensified scrutiny of the country’s football administration, with questions being raised over the management of the national teams and the overall direction of the NFF.
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The Super Eagles have also endured a difficult period, having failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their absence from the tournament further heightened concerns over Nigeria’s declining fortunes on the international football stage.
Beyond the performances of the national teams, the NFF has also faced scrutiny over its handling of a N17 billion Federal Government intervention fund released in 2024.
The federation has also come under pressure following the findings of a fact-finding committee, which alleged that some board members and officials influenced invitations to national teams for financial gain.
The allegations have contributed to calls for greater accountability, transparency and reforms in the administration of Nigerian football.
Gusau’s resignation is coming at a particularly significant time for the federation, with the NFF elective congress scheduled to take place on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The forthcoming congress is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next leadership structure of the federation and charting a new direction for Nigerian football.
The resignation of Gusau and the Executive Committee members could therefore reshape the leadership landscape ahead of the elective congress, while also placing greater attention on the processes that will guide the transition.
The latest development is expected to heighten uncertainty within the federation as stakeholders, clubs, players and football supporters await further details on the leadership transition and the future administration of Nigerian football.
It also comes at a time when the NFF faces the challenge of restoring confidence in the country’s football administration and rebuilding the fortunes of both the Super Falcons and Super Eagles on the international stage.
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