The crisis rocking Nigerian football has deepened with reports that Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau and several executive committee members have resigned amid mounting pressure over the management of the country’s football affairs.
The reported departures come after a difficult period for Nigeria’s national teams, with the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup emerging as one of the biggest setbacks. Nigeria had featured in every edition of the women’s tournament since its launch in 1991.
Reports indicate that eight of the 13 members of the NFF board have allegedly stepped down. If confirmed, the development would leave the federation facing major uncertainty over its leadership and the planned elections scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Pressure on the NFF has grown following a series of disappointing results involving Nigeria’s national teams. The Super Falcons failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup before losing 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in a qualification playoff, ending their uninterrupted presence at the tournament.
The federation is also facing scrutiny over the management of funds provided by the Federal Government for the national teams. The Guardian reported that the Department of State Services had begun examining documents connected to a N17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding wages, bonuses and other payments owed to national team players.
A source cited in the report described the DSS review as a routine examination of financial records rather than a witch-hunt. The reported investigation has added another layer to longstanding questions around the administration and financing of Nigerian football.
The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for successive FIFA World Cup tournaments has further intensified criticism of the NFF leadership. The executive committee led by Gusau had reportedly faced calls to resign as dissatisfaction with the federation’s performance increased.
The latest reported resignations also come after other changes within the federation, including the departure of former NFF fact-finding committee chairman Fanny Amun. However, the NFF has yet to publicly confirm the full extent of the reported resignations or explain how the federation will be managed if the departures are confirmed.
With more than half of the 13-member board reportedly gone, attention is now turning to the NFF’s September election and whether the current crisis could affect the process. The federation’s next steps are likely to face close scrutiny as Nigerian football seeks stability after a series of setbacks on and off the pitch.
