The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has resigned from his position, bringing his tenure at the helm of Nigerian football to an early end.
Gusau announced his decision on Thursday during a press conference at the NFF Glass House in Abuja, saying he chose to step aside to allow other Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the development of football in the country.
According to him, while the NFF had faced significant setbacks, including the failure of both the men’s and women’s national teams to qualify for the World Cup, he was leaving the federation in a stronger position than he found it.
“I just want to tell you that I decided to resign my position as the NFF President,” Gusau told journalists. “I informed my board members and advised them that anybody who wants to follow me should also resign, but as I am talking to you, I cannot tell you who and who or how many board members have resigned.”
The NFF president said his decision was not an end to his involvement in Nigerian football, promising to continue supporting the sport by making his experience and relationships within African football available whenever needed.
“By the grace of God, I hope I can continue to give my contributions because the experience and relationships we have within African football, we will never allow them to go in vain,” he said. “Whenever we need to give our contributions, we will come here and give our contributions for the progress of the Nigerian people.”
Gusau also revealed that he had encouraged members of his board to consider resigning alongside him. However, he said he was yet to confirm whether any of the board members had formally stepped down.
His resignation came on the same day that NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi announced his own departure while addressing staff members at the federation’s secretariat.
The developments follow mounting criticism of football administration in Nigeria after a difficult period for the country’s national teams. The Super Eagles and Super Falcons both failed to secure places at the World Cup, adding to concerns over the direction of the country’s football leadership.
Gusau was elected NFF president at the federation’s 78th Elective Congress in September 2022. His resignation comes shortly before the scheduled end of his tenure and could create uncertainty around the federation’s electoral plans.
The NFF is scheduled to hold elections for its board on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Gusau’s departure, alongside Sanusi’s resignation, could potentially have implications for the planned electoral process and the administration of Nigerian football in the coming weeks.
