JUST IN: Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau resigns
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has resigned from his position with immediate effect.
Gusau announced his decision during a press conference held on Thursday afternoon in Abuja, confirming that he and the entire NFF Executive Board had stepped down.
The surprise resignation comes amid mounting criticism of the federation’s leadership following a series of disappointing results by Nigeria’s national football teams.
The immediate trigger is reported to be the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup—the first time in the country’s history that Nigeria has missed out on the tournament.
The setback has intensified pressure on the federation, with fans, former players and stakeholders questioning the administration’s handling of women’s football and the broader direction of the game in the country.
The NFF has also faced criticism over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for consecutive FIFA World Cups, having missed the 2022 tournament before also failing to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The disappointing performances have fuelled calls for sweeping reforms within Nigerian football, with many demanding greater accountability and structural changes at the federation.
Gusau’s resignation, alongside that of the other board members, marks a significant turning point for Nigerian football as the federation prepares to usher in a new leadership.
Attention is now expected to shift to the process of appointing an interim administration and organising fresh elections to steer the NFF through a critical rebuilding phase.
More details are expected to emerge as the federation outlines the next steps following the mass resignation.