The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and other board members have resigned from their positions, marking a major shake-up in Nigerian football administration.
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and other board members have resigned from their positions, marking a major shake-up in Nigerian football administration.
The resignation was confirmed on Wednesday, with Sanusi admitting the development when approached by journalists.
“Yes, the news about the resignation of the president and myself is true,” he said.
Gusau, however, had earlier dismissed claims of pressure during a public appearance at the unveiling of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL), insisting he was focused on ongoing duties at the federation.
The development comes at a critical moment for Nigerian football, following continued struggles by the country’s national teams on the international stage.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while other national teams have also recorded disappointing campaigns across major CAF and FIFA tournaments in recent cycles. The setbacks have intensified public criticism of the NFF’s leadership and football development structure.
The situation is further complicated by growing scrutiny over football administration finances. Multiple reports have linked the NFF to investigations by anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), over alleged mismanagement of funds.
There have also been renewed public debate around alleged misappropriation involving football development grants and funding running into billions of naira, with claims around a ₦17 billion intervention package previously allocated to football development programs. These allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.
The resignations come just weeks before the NFF elective congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, a vote expected to determine the next leadership direction for Nigerian football.
The federation has also faced mounting pressure over administrative instability, funding disputes with the National Sports Commission (NSC), and repeated calls for structural reforms to restore competitiveness to Nigerian football.
More details are expected as investigations and succession processes continue.
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