Former NFF VP Gabriel Chukwuma demands board resignation following Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing mismanagement and favoritism

Former Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, has called for the resignation of the entire NFF board led by Ibrahim Gusau following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Also read: NFF Urges Super Eagles to Shine at 2025 AFCON

The disappointment mirrors Nigeria’s exit at the Qatar 2022 tournament.

Chukwuma, a former proprietor of Gabros FC in Nnewi and long-time stakeholder in Nigerian football, criticised the board’s management, alleging it left the national teams “powerless” and unable to compete effectively at the continental level.

Although the NFF has petitioned FIFA to disqualify DR Congo, who defeated Nigeria in a penalty shootout during the African Playoffs last month for allegedly fielding ineligible players, Chukwuma dismissed the effort as “beneath the three-time continental champions.”

“The NFF board should resign because if they had gotten their acts together earlier, the Super Eagles would have qualified with ease without depending on play-offs or boardroom points now,” he said.

He also lamented that mismanagement has reduced Nigeria’s male teams to “minnows of African football,” frequently losing to lesser-known sides.

Chukwuma revealed he had previously offered financial assistance and contacts to strengthen the teams, but claimed the board failed to act.

He criticised the board for prioritising personal enrichment and selecting players based on favoritism rather than merit.

“Football is either you get results or you get rich. As long as you want to enrich yourself, you cannot get results,” he said.

He urged the board to step aside to make way for younger, more capable managers and to prepare the national team for the 2030 World Cup.

“It is shameful that some countries that are not up to Lagos qualified easily. And now, I am hearing that these same people who have dragged our football into the abyss are preparing to return for another term. It is an insult to the whole nation,” Chukwuma stated.

Chukwuma warned that if the board refuses to resign, he is prepared to pursue legal action to remove them and allow competent individuals to take over.

“If President Tinubu allows them to go for another term, we have accepted defeat and should say goodbye to ever qualifying for the World Cup,” he added.

As a prominent stakeholder in Nigerian football, Chukwuma’s statements reflect widespread frustration among investors, former officials, and fans regarding systemic issues in team management, resource allocation, and governance.

Also read: NFF Apology Expresses Deep Regret over World Cup Failure

The call for a complete overhaul of the NFF underscores the urgency of reforms ahead of the 2030 World Cup to restore Nigeria’s standing as a football powerhouse in Africa and globally.