Nigerian Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau resigns; Tinubu orders comprehensive reform

Ibrahim Gusau is no longer the president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). He announced his resignation this Thursday, August 27, during a press conference at the NFF headquarters.

"After consulting with my family, friends, and stakeholders in Nigerian football, I simply want to inform you that I have decided to resign from my position as chairman," said Mr. Gusau.

"Structural weaknesses"

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football. In a statement released Thursday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu made the decision to help the country overcome its repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental, and global tournaments. He attributed the difficulties faced by Nigerian football to structural weaknesses.

The aim of the reform is to "strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, national competitions and accountability across Nigerian football".

To protect the country against possible sanctions from CAF and FIFA for state interference in football affairs, Tinubu ordered the National Sports Commission, the body in charge of leading the reform, to collaborate with these umbrella bodies.

The Super Eagles and the Super Falcons in defeat

It's worth remembering that no Nigerian national team has managed to qualify for the World Cup in recent years. The Super Eagles didn't participate in the World Cup in North America, and the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The youth teams are also experiencing difficulties.