The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, MON, on Thursday tendered their resignations following widespread national dissatisfaction over the recent poor performances of Nigeria’s National Teams. All members of the NFF Executive Committee have also resigned, marking one of the most sweeping leadership exits in the Federation’s history.
Gusau’s departure comes 34 days before the end of his four‑year tenure, having been elected on 30 September 2022Gusau, Board Members, Sanusi Depart NFF After Mass Resignations
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been plunged into a historic leadership shake-up as President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, and General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, MON, tendered their resignations on Thursday, following widespread national dissatisfaction over recent poor performances by Nigeria’s National Teams. All members of the NFF Executive Committee have also reportedly stepped down, marking one of the most sweeping leadership exits in the federation’s history.
Gusau’s resignation comes 34 days before the end of his four-year tenure, having been elected on 30 September 2022 in Benin City, Edo State. He said the decision followed consultations with family, friends, and football stakeholders, stressing that it was taken “in the overriding interest of Nigerian football.”
> “My resignation is intended to give way to a comprehensive and orderly reform process aimed at addressing the longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges confronting Nigerian football,” Gusau stated.
At a press conference held at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, Gusau—who also served as President of WAFU B—reflected on his tenure with a sense of accomplishment. He highlighted progress in coaching education, including the rollout of courses across all licence categories and the upcoming CAF A-License programme scheduled for 13 September. He also cited improvements in the domestic league calendar, refereeing development, and infrastructure upgrades such as the new 68-room Players’ Hostel and training pitches at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.
Gusau pointed to notable on-field achievements as well, including the Super Eagles’ silver and bronze medals from the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the Super Falcons’ WAFCON triumph in Morocco in 2025.
However, mounting pressure from recent failures ultimately forced the leadership’s exit. The Super Falcons’ inability to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup—their first absence since the tournament began 35 years ago—proved a major blow. This followed the Super Eagles’ failure to reach the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the U20 boys’ inability to qualify for the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
The mass resignations now pave the way for what many hope will be a sweeping reform of Nigerian football governance and performance structures.
—
