By Akinwale Kasali
To many Sport analysts and enthusiasts, the handwriting had been boldly written on the wall for a possible resignation of Ibrahim Gusau, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF President, following the failure of the Super Falcons to book the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup ticket, and also failing to make the Intercontinental Playoffs.
It was, therefore, not surprising when Gusau, alongside NFF Board Members, tendered their resignation letters.
Gusau and his board members were, allegedly, forced to resign, rather than wait to be unceremoniously sacked.
For several months, the NFF board had come under intense pressure following the poor management of Nigerian football.
The latest debacle was the failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the FIFA Women World Cup for the first time in 35 years, and the failure of the Nigeria Flying Eagles to book a ticket for the Under-20 African Youth Championship, which also serves as a route to qualify for the forthcoming 2027 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
It was also gathered that the NFF Board had been badgered by security agents, as it came under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement of funds released by the Federal Government for the national football teams.
The Department of State Services, DSS, joined other security operatives in investigating the NFF over the utilisation of the N17 Billion Federal Government Intervention Fund released to the Federation for players’ wages and bonuses.
The fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams, the Under utilization of the funds has however led to the DSS to have beamed its searchlight on officials of NFF to show proof on what they did with the massive fund released to the Glass house.
A Source privy to the ongoing scrutiny of the NFF over the N17 Billion Intervention Funds released by the FG had stated, “It’s a normal thing for DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released to the NFF”, the source stated.
Though, some analysts stated that the Gusau led NFF is being hounded and witch hunted following the latest probe that cames amid persistent public concerns over the administration of Nigerian football teams that has suffered severe systemic decline.
Recall that the Super Eagles missed consecutive FIFA World Cups and the historic failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil has further put the NFF Management on the spot.
The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, quarter-finals, which ended their title defense and missed automatic World Cup qualification, subsequently facing a playoff path involving South Africa.
The Banyana Banyana defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2-1 in the Women’s World Cup qualification playoff.
Nigeria has played in every single FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991, making this the first time they failed to qualify.
Before the announcement of Gusau’s resignation, there has been pressure on him and his Board Members to throw in the towel following the spate of failures recorded by the National Teams.
There are indications that the resignation could have an adverse effect on the scheduled September 27, 2026 Elections into the Board of the NFF slated for Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The Ministry of Sports is yet to announce the New NFF President who will hold the position in acting capacity.
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