NFF president Gusau, board members resign

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, and several members of the federation’s executive board have resigned amid mounting pressure over the management of Nigerian football.

The development follows growing criticism of the NFF administration after a series of setbacks involving the country’s national teams, including the historic failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sources said the NFF leadership had also come under scrutiny from security agencies over the utilisation of funds released by the Federal Government to settle outstanding financial obligations to the national teams.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is reportedly examining the management of the N17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024 for players’ wages and bonuses.

An authoritative source told Vanguard that the DSS had requested documents relating to the funds released to the NFF.

“It’s a normal thing for DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released to them,” the source said, dismissing suggestions that the investigation was targeted at particular officials.

The scrutiny comes against the backdrop of a difficult period for Nigerian football, with the Super Eagles missing consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments and the Super Falcons suffering a major setback in their bid to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria’s hopes of securing qualification were dashed after the Super Falcons lost 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the Women’s World Cup qualification playoff.

The defeat marked the first time Nigeria’s women’s national team will miss the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.

The latest setback intensified calls for changes in the administration of Nigerian football, with pressure mounting on the NFF leadership to take responsibility for the team’s declining fortunes.

The NFF executive committee had reportedly faced increasing pressure to resign, with more than half of its 13 members allegedly leaving their positions.

The resignation of Gusau and other board members could also affect the NFF electoral process, with elections into the federation’s board scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The unfolding developments have therefore raised fresh questions over whether the scheduled election will proceed as planned and how the federation will manage the transition amid the leadership crisis.