The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has announced his resignation from office. He made the declaration during a press conference at the NFF Glass House in Abuja on Thursday.
Addressing journalists, Gusau said he decided to step aside to give other Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the development of football in the country.
Gusau acknowledged the failure of Nigeria’s men’s and women’s teams to qualify for the World Cups but maintained that he was leaving the federation in a better position than he found it.
“I just want to tell you that I decided to resign my position as the NFF President. 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.
Board Members and Secretariat
He disclosed that he had advised members of his board to resign but was not aware of any who had stepped down.
Earlier in the day, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi also announced his resignation to members of the federation’s secretariat.
The twin resignations come amid growing criticism of football administration in Nigeria, particularly after recent setbacks suffered by the Super Eagles and Super Falcons.
Gusau pledged to continue contributing to Nigerian football, promising to make his experience and connections within African football available whenever needed.
“By the grace of God I hope I can continue to give my contributions because the experience and relationship we have within the African football, we will never allow it to go in vain. Whenever we need to give our contributions we will come here and give our contributions for the progress of the Nigerian people,” he said.
Gusau, who was elected at the 78th Elective Congress of the NFF in September 2022, stepped down shortly before the end of his tenure.
His resignation could throw the federation’s planned electoral process into uncertainty and potentially affect the September 27 elections for the NFF board scheduled to hold in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
