Ibrahim Gusau Bows to Pressure, Resigns As NFF President

Ibrahim Gusau has resigned as NFF President.

Philips News reports that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau announced his resignation during a press conference at the NFF Glass House in Abuja on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Addressing the press, Gusau said he decided to step aside to give other Nigerians the opportunity to help develop football in the country.

Gusau maintained that despite the failure of the federation’s men’s and women’s teams to qualify for the World Cups, he was leaving the NFF in a better position than he found it.

He also disclosed that he had advised members of his board to resign, but said he was not aware of any board member who had so far stepped down.

“After consultation with family, friends and stakeholders, I just want to tell you that I have decided to resign from my position,” he said.

“As Nigerians, nobody is greater than this country. We all love our country and its progress. And as people who have been in football and managing football, we need to look at ourselves and ask, ‘What next?’ so we made a lot of consultations.

“I informed my board members and advised them that anybody who wants to follow me to also resign, but as I am talking to you I cannot tell you who and who or how many board members that have resigned,” he said.

Meanwhile, PhilipsNews understands that the NFF leadership was pressured to step down after intervention from top brass of the federal government, from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to the presidency.

Gusau was elected NFF president in 2022, and his tenure was supposed to end next month, with an elective congress scheduled for September 27.

The fate of the congress is uncertain as reports claim that a normalisation committee will be set up to oversee the federation’s affairs until further notice.

Unfortunately, under Gusau’s leadership, the Super Eagles, like the Falcons, also failed to qualify for the men’s 2026 World Cup, despite Africa getting 10 slots for the first time. The failure also extended to age-grade football, with the men’s U-17 and U-20 teams missing out on World Cups.