The leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suffered a major shake-up following the resignation of its President, Ibrahim Gusau, alongside the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, and other members of the Executive Committee.
Gusau announced his resignation during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, bringing his tenure to an end amid mounting concerns over Nigeria’s recent football setbacks.
The resignation came shortly after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, following a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the play-off.
The failure marked a historic setback for Nigeria, as the Super Falcons had never previously missed a Women’s World Cup.
The team had earlier suffered another disappointment at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they were eliminated by Cameroon at the quarter-final stage.
Nigeria’s men’s national team, the Super Eagles, also failed to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding to concerns over the country’s declining fortunes on the international football scene.
Beyond the teams’ performances, the NFF administration has also faced scrutiny over its management of a ₦17 billion Federal Government intervention fund released in 2024.
A fact-finding committee had also raised allegations that some board members and officials influenced invitations to national teams for financial benefits.
Gusau’s resignation therefore comes at a critical period for Nigerian football, with the federation preparing for its elective congress scheduled to hold on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The departure of the president, general secretary and board members is expected to pave the way for a major leadership transition as stakeholders look to address the challenges confronting Nigerian football.
