Nigeria Football Federation Leadership Resigns Amid Governance Concerns

The leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation has resigned, creating uncertainty over how the country’s governing body will be run and whether scheduled elections can proceed. BBC Sport reported that president Ibrahim Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the other 11 members of the executive committee have all stepped down. The NFF has called an emergency congress in Abuja to determine what happens next.

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Gusau confirmed his departure at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, August 27. His term had 34 days remaining, and he had been expected to seek re-election. Gusau, elected in September 2022, said he reached the decision after consulting family, friends and stakeholders.

The resignations follow mounting pressure over results across Nigeria’s national teams. The men have failed to qualify for the past two World Cups, although the Super Eagles finished second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during Gusau’s administration. Nigeria has also struggled for major results in age-grade continental and global competitions.

Pressure intensified after the women’s team missed qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition since the tournament began in 1991. The Super Falcons entered the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as defending champions but lost to Cameroon in the quarter-finals, then were beaten by South Africa in a World Cup play-off.

The federation has also faced questions about governance and financial management. BBC Sport said attention has focused on a reported 17 billion naira intervention fund approved by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to cover outstanding payments and obligations to national teams. No formal findings have been announced, and people familiar with ongoing reviews described them as an examination of financial records and administrative procedures.

A fact-finding committee established by the NFF after the women’s Africa Cup of Nations exit also raised board-level and team-organisation concerns. Its report included allegations that board members influence selection and that some call-ups are shaped by financial gain rather than performance; those claims remain allegations. The emergency congress is expected to consider the executive committee’s status and compliance with NFF, CAF and FIFA statutes. September’s planned elections are now uncertain, while a possible FIFA-backed normalisation committee has been discussed but not confirmed.