Nigeria Football Federation President Gusau, board members resign amid crises

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has stepped down from his position, announcing his resignation during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday. He was joined in his departure by members of the Executive Committee, according to reports from the Super Eagles news account on X (@SSE_NGA).

The mass resignations follow a series of high-profile failures for Nigerian national football teams. Most notably, the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup after a 2-1 playoff defeat to South Africa. This marks the first time in Nigeria's history that the women's team will miss the tournament. The Falcons had previously been eliminated from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations by Cameroon at the quarter-final stage. Adding to the woes, the Super Eagles also failed to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Beyond on-field performance, the NFF has been under intense scrutiny for its management of a ₦17 billion ($11 million USD) Federal Government intervention fund released in 2024. Furthermore, a fact-finding committee report has surfaced, alleging that board members and officials engaged in corrupt practices, including influencing national team selections for financial gain.

Gusau's exit precedes the NFF's elective congress, which is scheduled to take place on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The ongoing crises and leadership changes signal a turbulent period for Nigerian football administration.