Ibrahim Musa Gusau has resigned as president of the Nigeria Football Federation, with the federal government announcing plans for a major overhaul of the country’s football administration.
The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has resigned from his position amid allegations of financial misconduct and growing concerns over the performance of Nigeria’s national teams.
Gusau announced his resignation on Thursday, just weeks before the NFF’s next general election. Several members of the federation’s executive board also reportedly stepped down. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Gusau confirmed that he was leaving his position and said he had encouraged other members of the board to follow suit.
The resignation comes as the NFF faces an investigation by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) over the alleged misuse of about ₦17 billion ($12.7 million) released by the federal government in 2024 to settle outstanding payments owed to national team players and officials. Following the announcement, President Bola Tinubu’s office said the government would undertake a “comprehensive reform” of Nigeria’s football administration.According to a statement issued by the president’s media adviser, Bayo Onanuga, the reforms are intended to address longstanding problems within the football system, including governance, administration, stakeholder representation, player development, domestic competitions and financial accountability.
Nigeria’s football authorities have faced allegations of corruption and poor management for years. National team players and coaches have also repeatedly complained about unpaid allowances and other financial obligations.The latest controversy has been intensified by disappointing results from the national teams.
The Super Falcons, Nigeria’s women’s national team, recently failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and subsequently losing a World Cup playoff against South Africa. The failure means Nigeria will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1991.
The men’s national team, the Super Eagles, have also failed to qualify for the last two editions of the men’s World Cup. Despite stepping down, Gusau defended his tenure, pointing to Nigeria’s economic difficulties and fluctuations in the foreign exchange market as factors that contributed to the federation’s financial challenges.He also announced a new partnership with Adidas that he said would provide the NFF with $4.5 million annually in cash payments.
The resignation now leaves Nigerian football facing a major leadership transition, with pressure mounting on authorities to improve transparency, financial management and the overall administration of the sport.
