Gusau Resigns as NFF President, Urges Board Members to Follow Suit

Posted : 28 August 2026

Nigeria’s football administration was thrown into a fresh leadership crisis on Thursday as Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, announced his resignation from office, bringing an end to days of speculation over the future of the federation’s leadership.

Gusau confirmed his decision at a press briefing at the NFF headquarters in Abuja, where he said he had consulted with his family before deciding to step down.

The announcement brings to an abrupt end Gusau’s tenure as president of the country’s football governing body, a position he assumed in September 2022 after emerging victorious at the NFF’s 78th Elective Congress in Benin City, Edo State. He defeated Peterside Idah 39-1 in the decisive run-off after leading the first round with 21 votes.

Gusau’s resignation follows several days of reports and counter-reports about a possible leadership shake-up within the NFF, amid mounting concerns over the direction of Nigerian football.

Ahead of Thursday’s briefing, reports had indicated that several members of the NFF Executive Committee were also considering or had already submitted their resignations, raising questions about the future of the federation’s current leadership structure.

In a significant part of his address, Gusau advised other members of the NFF board to also resign, a move that could pave the way for a wider restructuring of the federation.

The development comes at a particularly turbulent period for Nigerian football. The NFF leadership has faced intense scrutiny following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The federation has also been under scrutiny over the management of funds released by the Federal Government for the country’s national teams, with reports indicating that security agencies have intensified investigations into the utilisation of the funds.

Gusau came into the NFF presidency with considerable experience in football administration. Before his election, he was Chairman of the Zamfara State Football Association and Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria’s football associations. He had also served in CAF football administration and subsequently became the first vice-president of the West African Football Union (WAFU) B zone in 2024.

His election in 2022 made him the 40th president of the NFF and successor to Amaju Pinnick.

However, his administration became increasingly challenged by the performance and management of the national teams, alongside wider concerns about the administration of domestic football.

The latest development is therefore expected to trigger a new phase in the leadership of Nigerian football, with attention now shifting to the NFF Congress and the process that will determine the next direction of the federation.

The NFF had already been reported to be preparing for an emergency Congress following the leadership crisis, with the body expected to determine the next steps after the reported resignations.

Gusau’s resignation consequently leaves Nigerian football at a critical crossroads, with stakeholders facing the task of restoring stability, rebuilding confidence and charting a fresh course for the country’s football administration.

Gusau Resigns as NFF President, Urges Board Members to Follow Suit

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