President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, is expected to address journalists in Abuja on Thursday amid reports that he has resigned from his position. The reported resignations come amid mounting pressure on the NFF leadership over a series of disappointing results by Nigeria’s national teams. The Federation……
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, is expected to address journalists in Abuja on Thursday amid reports that he has resigned from his position.
The reported resignations come amid mounting pressure on the NFF leadership over a series of disappointing results by Nigeria’s national teams.
The Federation has yet to officially confirm the resignations.
The crisis follows Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ elimination from the African play-offs for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The emergency congress is expected to consider the reported resignations and determine the next steps for the leadership of Nigerian football.
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The Falcons also failed to retain their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after suffering a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup were subsequently ended by a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the qualification play-off.
The outcome triggered widespread criticism of the NFF and led the federation to apologise to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians.
The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup had already increased pressure on the federation’s leadership.
In response to the poor results, the NFF established a fact-finding committee to investigate the factors behind the national teams’ underwhelming performances.
The committee examined, among other issues, the process through which players were selected and invited to national-team camps.
Its report alleged that “some of the Board Members influence the invitation of players to the National Teams locally and internationally.”
The report also alleged that “Team Coaches and Officials” may have been involved in inviting players to national camps “for the purpose of having a source for financial gains.”
It further raised allegations that some board members, NFF management personnel and coaches could receive incentives to influence decisions on national-team invitations.
The report specifically stated: “Allegations of Board Members, NFF Management Staff and Coaches taking incentives to compromise decisions in the build-up to national team camp invitation.”
The federation has also faced scrutiny over its financial management, with security agencies reportedly examining the utilisation of a N17 billion Federal Government intervention fund released in 2024 to clear outstanding payments owed to national-team players and officials.
The reported resignation of several members of the NFF Executive Committee has further deepened the uncertainty surrounding the federation.
Reports indicate that up to eight of the 13 Executive Committee members may have resigned or expressed plans to leave, potentially creating significant administrative uncertainty.
The development could also have implications for the NFF elective congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Although the federation has yet to fully clarify the reported resignations, Thursday’s press conference is expected to shed light on Gusau’s position, the status of other Executive Committee members and the future of the electoral process.
The engagement is also expected to provide Gusau an opportunity to respond to criticism of his administration and explain the circumstances surrounding the reported leadership changes.
