By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
The leadership crisis in Nigerian football has deepened after Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi resigned from their positions.
Several members of the NFF Executive Committee have also stepped down, adding to uncertainty over the federation’s leadership less than a month before its scheduled elective congress.
Meanwhile, the NFF plans to hold the congress in September, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The reported resignations follow mounting criticism of the federation after Nigeria’s national teams failed to secure major international qualification targets.
Also Super Eagles missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing 2-1 to South Africa in the African play-off in Morocco.
Gusau had earlier responded to concerns over the national teams by setting up a fact-finding committee to investigate their performances and recommend measures to improve results.
Sanusi, who became NFF general secretary in 2014, confirmed his resignation on Thursday. He also confirmed that Gusau had resigned.
The changes have increased uncertainty around the NFF’s electoral process as the National Sports Commission (NSC) continues consultations with football stakeholders over reforms to the game.
Reports have suggested that the government could suspend the scheduled election and appoint a normalisation committee to oversee the federation before a fresh electoral process.
However, NSC Director-General Bukola Olopade denied on August 20 that the Federal Government had ordered the NFF leadership to resign. Although he said consultations were continuing on measures to re-engineer Nigerian football.
The NFF also faces scrutiny over the administration of funds allocated to national-team programmes, including reports of investigations into the use of a Federal Government intervention fund.
The resignations could now affect the NFF’s election timetable. Candidate screening is scheduled for August 28-30, with the list of cleared candidates expected on August 31.
Gusau is expected to address journalists at the NFF headquarters in Abuja and to also explain his resignation, clarify the status of the Executive Committee as well as address the future of the election.
The immediate priority for stakeholders will be to establish a clear transition process while addressing wider concerns over national-team management, youth development, domestic competitions, grassroots football and governance.
