The president, the general secretary, and the entire executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have resigned, plunging Nigerian football into an institutional crisis. Ibrahim Gusau, the outgoing president whose term was set to expire in 34 days, confirmed his decision during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday. He cited the move as having been made “after consultations with family, friends, and stakeholders.”
Elected in September 2022, Gusau faced mounting pressure over the performances of both the senior national teams and youth selections, despite his intention to seek re-election. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the last two FIFA World Cups, while the Super Falcons have just missed out on the 2027 edition after 13 consecutive appearances since 1991. The elimination in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) by Cameroon, followed by defeat in the World Cup playoffs against South Africa, ultimately weakened his position beyond recovery. “Moving forward, I know that the future of Nigerian football will be bright,” Gusau stated. “I hope we can continue to contribute, because our experience, relationships, and connections within African football must not go to waste.”
A sporting decline without precedent
Despite the Super Eagles reaching the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during his tenure, consecutive absences from the FIFA World Cup mark an unprecedented setback for one of Africa’s historic football nations. Disappointing results have also extended to youth competitions, where Nigeria has struggled to shine. The NFF has called an emergency congress in Abuja to chart the way forward following the departures of Gusau, Secretary-General Mohammed Sanusi, and the other 11 executive committee members. The resignations come as Nigerian football continues to rack up failures. The Super Falcons, the current African champions, were eliminated in the quarter-finals of WAFCON 2026 by Cameroon, before losing the World Cup qualifying playoff to South Africa. A string of underwhelming performances has hastened the fall of the federation’s leadership.
Governance and finances under scrutiny
Beyond sporting results, the NFF is under scrutiny for its financial and administrative management. A 17 billion naira (12.66 million USD, 9.31 million GBP) intervention fund was approved in 2024 by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to settle debts owed to national teams. While no official conclusions have been made public, sources close to the audits mention a review of financial and administrative procedures. An internal investigative committee, formed after the Super Falcons' elimination, revealed major dysfunctions. According to its report, board members allegedly influence selections, while officials and coaches prioritize player calls based on financial gains rather than performance. These unconfirmed allegations have fueled criticism of the outgoing leadership. Discussions at the emergency congress are expected to focus on the status of the executive committee and compliance with the statutes of the NFF, the
Confederation of African Football (CAF) and
FIFA. The current uncertainty surrounds September’s elections, with the possibility of a normalization committee backed by FIFA to oversee the transition and prepare a new vote.
Reforms or Stagnation: The Stakes of a Restructuring
Calls for a deep restructuring are growing louder. Former internationals like John Obi Mikel, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Segun Odegbami have advocated for a break from the usual leadership, deemed responsible for decades of underperformance. For some observers, this crisis could also present an opportunity for structural reforms and a cultural renewal. This instability is part of a broader debate on governance and accountability in world football, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the center of discussions. For Nigeria, the question remains: Can trust in the NFF be restored, as the country grapples with both sporting disappointments and off-field challenges?
Sophie Bartega · 28 août 2026 · 4 min de lecture
