The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, president Ibrahim Gusau and other board members have reportedly resigned from office, Trybal News reports.
The reported resignations come as the NFF faces growing pressure over the management of Nigerian football. The federation has come under heavy criticism following a series of disappointing results and administrative concerns.
The latest setback came after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history. The historic failure has added to calls for major changes within the NFF.
Veteran sports journalist Colin Udoh reported the development on social media. He said a senior official of the National Sports Commission had informed him that Gusau and the entire NFF board had resigned.
“I have just been informed by a top @NatSportsComm official that @thenff President @IbrahimMusaGus1 and board have resigned. I have tried to reach Gusau for confirmation. Haven’t heard back from him yet. The NSC official says it is the first step towards restructuring the NFF. All will be clearer by end of the day today.”
At the time of the report, Udoh said he had yet to receive direct confirmation from Gusau. Therefore, the reported resignation remained subject to official confirmation.
NFF Faces Scrutiny over Federal Intervention Funds
According to Vanguard Newspaper, security agencies have also stepped up scrutiny of NFF officials over the management of funds released by the Federal Government for Nigeria’s national teams.
The Department of State Services, DSS, joined other security agencies in examining how the N17bn intervention fund was used. The Federal Government released the money to help clear outstanding wages and bonuses owed to players representing Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu approved the fund in 2024 as part of efforts to settle the outstanding payments involving the national teams.
An authoritative source told Vanguard on Monday that the DSS had intensified its examination of NFF records. The source said officials had been asked to provide evidence showing how the funds released to the federation were used.
“It’s a normal thing for DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released them,” the source said, while dismissing concerns about a possible witch hunt or deliberate targeting of NFF officials.
The latest investigation comes amid wider concerns about the state of Nigerian football. The Super Eagles have missed consecutive FIFA World Cups, while the Super Falcons have now suffered the historic setback of missing out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the NFF executive committee led by Gusau has faced mounting calls to resign. The pressure has also increased following the reported departure of more than half of the board members.
Eight of the 13 NFF board members have allegedly resigned from their positions. If confirmed, the development could trigger significant changes within the federation and affect plans for the next stage of its administration.
The reported resignations could also create uncertainty around the scheduled NFF elections. The polls are currently slated for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
For now, attention will turn to the NFF and the relevant authorities for official clarification on the reported resignations. The development, if confirmed, could mark the start of a major restructuring of Nigerian football administration.
