Nigeria FA leadership resigns after national teams’ World Cup failures

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the federation’s entire executive committee have resigned amid mounting pressure over the state of Nigerian football.

The leadership stepped down on Thursday, 27 August, with the changes coming just 34 days before Gusau was due to complete his four-year term. Gusau, who had held the presidency since September 2022, said his resignation would create room for wider reforms and a new direction for the sport.

The mass departure follows a difficult period for Nigeria’s national teams. The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons missed out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Falcons’ failure has been especially damaging to Nigeria’s reputation in women’s football. They had featured in every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991, making the absence from the 2027 tournament an unprecedented setback for the team.

The NFF has also faced scrutiny over matters away from the pitch, particularly its governance and financial management. Questions have been raised about a N17 billion federal intervention fund released in 2024 to help meet financial obligations linked to Nigeria’s national teams.

Poor qualification campaigns, concerns over the handling of funds and increasing dissatisfaction among the public have combined to put the federation’s leadership under severe pressure. Those issues ultimately contributed to the decision by Gusau, Sanusi and the executive committee to leave office together.

The resignations come at a sensitive point in the NFF’s electoral timetable. Delegates are due to meet in Lafia on 27 September for an elective congress, at which a new administration is expected to be selected.

With the current leadership no longer in place, the federation must now manage its affairs in the run-up to that gathering. It remains to be seen whether the congress and election schedule will go ahead as planned.

The next administration will inherit an organisation facing challenges on several fronts. Restoring confidence among supporters, improving financial accountability and strengthening the federation’s governance will be central to its task.

It will also be expected to revive Nigeria’s national teams after a series of damaging qualification failures. Rebuilding the Super Eagles and Super Falcons will be as important as addressing the structural concerns that have placed the NFF under scrutiny.

Gusau’s resignation therefore marks more than the conclusion of his administration. The collective departure of the NFF’s senior leadership could become the starting point for a significant reset in Nigerian football, although the direction of that change will depend on the administration chosen at the Lafia congress.