The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has announced his resignation from office, stepping down amid growing criticism of football administration in Nigeria following recent setbacks suffered by the country’s national teams.
He announced during a press conference at the NFF Glass House in Abuja on Thursday.
Gusau, who was elected to lead the Nigerian football governing body at the 78th Elective Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation in September 2022, resigned shortly before the end of his tenure .
Addressing the press, Gusau said he decided to step aside to give other Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the development of football in the country . He maintained that despite the failure of the federation’s men’s and women’s teams to qualify for the World Cups, he was leaving the NFF in a better position than he found it .
His resignation comes amid growing criticism following the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the playoff match . The Super Eagles also failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, having been eliminated in the playoffs by Ghana .
The resignation could throw the NFF’s planned electoral process into uncertainty and potentially affect the September 27 elections for the federation’s board, which are scheduled to hold in Lafia, Nasarawa State .
Speculation has surrounded the NFF leadership in recent weeks, with reports suggesting that the National Sports Commission could halt the September 27 elective congress and install a normalisation committee to oversee the federation ahead of a fresh election . The NSC has not confirmed reports that the Federal Government directed Gusau and his board to resign .
Unconfirmed reports have also suggested that up to nine NFF Executive Committee members have considered resigning . Gusau disclosed that he had advised members of his board to resign, but said he was not aware of any board member who had so far stepped down .
The congress, scheduled for Lafia, Nasarawa State, was moved from September 26 to September 27 to allow candidates and stakeholders time to travel from Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar on September 25 .
Gusau appeared publicly in Abuja on Wednesday at the unveiling of the Nigeria Premier Football League’s rebrand and a new three-year, $7.5 million title sponsorship with EuroMatch .
