Following Gusau’s resignation, President Bola Tinubu’s administration announced it has mandated a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s football governance.
Published On 27 Aug 2026
The head of the Nigeria Football Federation has resigned following corruption allegations and a series of poor performances by the nation’s teams.
Gusau made the announcement on Thursday, just one month ahead of the federation’s scheduled general election.
Local media also reported that several board members resigned from their roles.
Gusau told journalists in Abuja, “I have resigned as president of the NFF,” and added that he urged fellow board members to step down as well.
Local media said the NFF is under investigation by Nigeria’s Department of State Services for allegedly misappropriating 17 billion naira (approximately $12.7 million) allocated by the government in 2024 to settle outstanding payments to national‑team players and staff.
Following Gusau’s departure, President Bola Tinubu’s office stated that he had directed a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s football administration to address the system’s structural shortcomings.
Tinubu, in a statement released by his media adviser Bayo Onanuga, said the reform must meet a long‑standing demand to improve governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions, and accountability throughout Nigerian football.
As one of Africa’s prominent football nations, Nigeria’s football governing body has long been dogged by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Players and coaches of the national teams have repeatedly taken to the streets to protest unpaid allowances.
The recent controversy emerged after the Super Falcons failed to secure qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The ten‑time Women’s Africa Cup of Champions lost in the quarterfinals of this year’s tournament and then fell 2‑1 to South Africa in the World Cup playoff.
The loss leaves Nigeria absent from the global competition for the first time since the inaugural edition in 1991.
The men’s side, the Super Eagles, likewise failed to qualify for the past two World Cup editions.
Even after stepping down, Gusau defended his tenure, attributing the federation’s financial woes to Nigeria’s economic challenges and foreign‑exchange volatility.
He also unveiled a partnership with Adidas that will deliver $4.5 million in annual cash payments to Nigeria.
