Gusau, Sanusi, NFF Board Members Resign
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has resigned from office with immediate effect, bringing his tenure as head of the country’s football governing body to an end.
Gusau announced his decision on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja, saying he had consulted his family, friends and other stakeholders before arriving at the decision.
“After consultation with family, friends and stakeholders, I just want to tell you that I have decided to resign my position,” Gusau said.
The NFF president also disclosed that he had advised members of his Executive Committee to step down, with several board members subsequently submitting their resignations.
The federation’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, also announced his resignation during the press conference.
The development follows mounting pressure on the NFF leadership over a series of disappointing results involving Nigeria’s national teams.
The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was among the major setbacks recorded under the administration.
The Super Falcons also suffered a historic setback after failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s uninterrupted participation in the competition since its inaugural edition in 1991.
Nigeria’s women’s team lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations before suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the subsequent play-off, which ended their hopes of securing a World Cup berth.
The Flying Eagles also missed out on qualification for the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after a 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship.
Gusau’s resignation comes one month before the NFF elective congress scheduled to take place on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The 62-year-old was elected NFF president in September 2022, succeeding former federation president Amaju Pinnick.
His resignation now sets the stage for a fresh leadership direction at the federation as Nigerian football seeks to recover from a difficult period.
Gusau announced his decision on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja, saying he had consulted his family, friends and other stakeholders before arriving at the decision.
“After consultation with family, friends and stakeholders, I just want to tell you that I have decided to resign my position,” Gusau said.
The NFF president also disclosed that he had advised members of his Executive Committee to step down, with several board members subsequently submitting their resignations.
The federation’s General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, also announced his resignation during the press conference.
The development follows mounting pressure on the NFF leadership over a series of disappointing results involving Nigeria’s national teams.
The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was among the major setbacks recorded under the administration.
The Super Falcons also suffered a historic setback after failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s uninterrupted participation in the competition since its inaugural edition in 1991.
Nigeria’s women’s team lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations before suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in the subsequent play-off, which ended their hopes of securing a World Cup berth.
The Flying Eagles also missed out on qualification for the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after a 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship.
Gusau’s resignation comes one month before the NFF elective congress scheduled to take place on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The 62-year-old was elected NFF president in September 2022, succeeding former federation president Amaju Pinnick.
His resignation now sets the stage for a fresh leadership direction at the federation as Nigerian football seeks to recover from a difficult period.
