The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has resigned from office. Gusau is expected to address journalists in Abuja today, Thursday, August 27, 2026, to give reasons for his decision to step down as head of the country’s football governing body.
Sources close to the NFF secretariat in Abuja confirmed late Wednesday that Gusau tendered his resignation after months of mounting pressure over the administration of Nigerian football. The resignation comes at a time when the Super Eagles and other national teams are preparing for crucial international engagements.
In a brief statement made available to our correspondent, an NFF official said Gusau would personally brief the media on the circumstances that led to his exit. The press briefing is scheduled to hold at the NFF headquarters in Abuja later today. He is expected to speak on his achievements, challenges, and the future of football administration in Nigeria.
Gusau assumed office in 2022 and has overseen the federation through two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and World Cup qualifying campaigns. During his tenure, he pushed for reforms in grassroots football, improved welfare for national team players, and sought stronger partnerships with corporate sponsors. However, his time in office was also marked by criticism over team preparations, coaching appointments, and internal disputes within the board.
Stakeholders across the football community have begun reacting to the news. Former internationals and club owners described the development as significant for Nigerian football. Many are calling for transparency in the process that will produce the next NFF president, with some urging the federation to avoid a leadership vacuum ahead of upcoming FIFA and CAF fixtures.
The NFF Executive Committee is expected to meet immediately after Gusau’s address to chart the way forward. According to the NFF statutes, the 1st Vice President is expected to act in the interim pending an election to fill the vacant position. Members of the committee were said to have been notified of the emergency meeting late Wednesday night.
With the Super Eagles in the middle of Afcon qualifiers and youth teams preparing for continental tournaments, the timing of the resignation has raised questions about stability and continuity within the federation. All eyes will now be on Abuja for details on what prompted the decision and what comes next for Nigerian football.
Beyond the senior national teams, Gusau’s tenure was marked by renewed focus on the foundation of the game. He championed grassroots development through the NFF-FIFA Forward programs, which funded coaching clinics, youth tournaments, and equipment distribution to state FAs.
The federation prioritized women’s football, with the Super Falcons and U-20/U-17 teams receiving more consistent camping and exposure trips ahead of WAFCON and World Cup qualifiers. Under his watch, the NFF rolled out a coaching education roadmap aimed at certifying more Nigerian coaches to CAF A and B levels, and pushed for better data capture of players in the domestic leagues to support scouting for national teams.
On the administrative and commercial side, Gusau worked to stabilize the federation’s finances and image. He led negotiations that brought in new corporate partners and kit deals, and insisted on prompt payment of allowances and bonuses to players and officials, which helped reduce the disruptions that had plagued previous camps.
He also strengthened ties with CAF and FIFA, positioning Nigeria to host and bid for development programs, and introduced quarterly stakeholder engagements with club owners, referees, and ex-internationals to address disputes earlier. While critics pointed to gaps in execution, supporters credit him with laying structures for transparency in budgeting and for keeping Nigerian football active across all age grades despite tight economic conditions.
