Headline: Nigerian Football Federation Leadership Resigns Amidst Criticism and Calls for Reform
The president, general secretary, and executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have submitted their resignations, creating a leadership vacuum for football in the country. Outgoing president Ibrahim Gusau confirmed his departure during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, stating that he made the decision following discussions with family, friends, and stakeholders.
Ibrahim Gusau, who was elected in September 2022 and was set to end his term in 34 days, had faced escalating scrutiny regarding the performance of Nigeria’s national and youth teams but was expected to seek re-election. The men’s national team has failed to qualify for the last two FIFA World Cups, adding to the pressures facing the NFF, which grew after the Super Falcons did not secure a spot for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. This marked the end of Nigeria’s flawless record in World Cup participation since the tournament began in 1991.
Despite entering the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as defending champions, the Super Falcons were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon and subsequently lost a World Cup playoff to South Africa. Gusau expressed optimism for the future of Nigerian football, stating, “Going forward, I know the future of Nigerian football will be great.” He emphasized the need to leverage their experiences and connections in African football.
Under Gusau’s leadership, the Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but the consecutive failures to qualify for the World Cup reflect a significant decline for one of Africa’s footballing giants. Nigeria has also struggled to leave a mark in age-grade competitions on both continental and global stages.
In response to these resignations, the NFF has called for an emergency congress in Abuja to discuss the next steps following the departure of Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and the other 11 executive committee members.
Beyond on-field performance, the NFF faces increasing scrutiny regarding governance and financial management practices. A particular focus has emerged around a 17 billion naira ($12.66 million, £9.31 million) intervention fund approved by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to address outstanding payments owed to national teams. While formal findings remain pending, ongoing reviews involve a thorough examination of financial records and administrative practices.
Moreover, a fact-finding committee established by the NFF after Nigeria’s exit from WAFCON 2026 raised concerns about governance and team organization, suggesting that board members have influenced team selections and that financial incentives rather than player performance have influenced call-ups.
The emergency congress is expected to prioritize discussions on the state of the executive committee and adherence to the statutes set by the NFF, Confederation of African Football, and FIFA. With uncertainty surrounding the NFF elections scheduled for September, there are considerations for a FIFA-backed normalization committee to facilitate the transition and prepare for new elections.
Calls for substantial reforms have intensified, with former Nigerian internationals like John Obi Mikel, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Segun Odegbami publicly advocating for a change from the current administrative cycle that has overseen years of disappointing performances.
While the resignations may create initial uncertainties, some stakeholders view this crisis as a potential opportunity for necessary structural reforms and a cultural reboot within Nigerian football. This upheaval occurs amid broader conversations on governance and accountability in global football, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the center of these discussions. For Nigeria, the pressing question remains whether confidence in the NFF can be restored as it faces both sporting setbacks and operational challenges.
The president, general secretary and executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have all resigned, leaving a leadership vacuum at the top of the sport in the country.
Outgoing president Ibrahim Gusau – whose tenure was set to expire in 34 days’ time – confirmed he was stepping down during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, saying he had come to the decision “after consultation with family, friends and stakeholders”.
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Elected in September 2022, he had faced mounting scrutiny over the performance of Nigeria’s national teams and youth sides but was expected to stand for re-election.
Nigeria’s men have failed to qualify for the last two Fifa World Cups, but pressure on the NFF hierarchy intensified in recent weeks after the Super Falcons missed out on a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, bringing to an end the country’s perfect attendance record at those finals since its inception in 1991.
The team went into the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) as defending champions but were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Cameroon before losing a World Cup play-off against South Africa.
“Going forward, I know the future of Nigerian football will be great,” Gusau said.
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“I hope we will continue to give our contribution, because our experience and the connections and relationship we have within African football, we’ll never allow it to go to vain.”
While the Super Eagles finished as runners up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations under Gusau’s administration, missing back-to-back World Cups represents an unprecedented decline for one of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses.
Nigeria has similarly struggled to make a significant impact in continental and global competitions at age-grade level.
The NFF has now convened an emergency congress in Abuja to determine its next steps following the resignations of Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the 11 other members of the executive committee.
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Governance and financial concerns
Ibrahim Gusau was elected as NFF president in September 2022, replacing long-term incumbent Amaju Pinnick [Getty Images]
Beyond results on the pitch, the NFF has faced questions over governance and financial management.
Particular attention has focused on a 17bn naira ($12.66m, £9.31m) intervention fund reportedly approved by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to settle outstanding payments and obligations owed to the country’s national teams.
While no formal findings have been announced, sources familiar with ongoing reviews describe the process as an examination of financial documentation and administrative procedures.
Meanwhile, a fact-finding committee set up by the NFF after Nigeria’s Wafcon 2026 exit highlighted a number of issues at board level and in the organisation of national teams.
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Its report included allegations that NFF board members influence team selection and that officials and even coaches base call-ups for players on financial gain as opposed to performance.
Discussions at the upcoming emergency congress are expected to focus on the status of the executive committee and compliance with statutes of the NFF, the Confederation of African Football, and world governing body Fifa.
The current uncertainty casts doubt over NFF elections scheduled for September. The possibility of a Fifa-backed normalisation committee to oversee the transition and prepare for fresh elections has been mooted.
Calls for sweeping reforms have grown louder in recent months. Former Nigeria internationals including John Obi Mikel, Jay-Jay Okocha and Segun Odegbami have publicly argued that meaningful progress will require a complete break from the cycle of familiar administrators who have overseen years of underperformance.
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And while the resignations create uncertainty, some stakeholders believe the crisis could also present an opportunity for long-awaited structural reforms and a cultural reset.
The upheaval comes against the backdrop of wider discussions over governance and accountability within global football, with Fifa boss Gianni Infantino at the heart of the debate.
For Nigeria, however, the question is whether confidence can be restored in the NFF as it grapples with both sporting disappointments and off-field challenges.
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