Ibrahim Gusau explains his NFF resignation, saying love for Nigeria and a desire to keep supporting football influenced his decision to step down

Ibrahim Gusau, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in Abuja, explained his decision to resign from the NFF alongside members of his board, saying his love for Nigeria and commitment to football influenced the decision.

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Gusau, who had led the federation since September 30, 2022, made the disclosure during a press conference following his resignation amid growing scrutiny of the administration of Nigerian football.

The former NFF president said he consulted family members, friends and football stakeholders before deciding to leave office.

“As Nigerians, nobody is better than this country; we all love our country and its progress, and as people that have been in football and managing football, we need to look at ourselves and say what next?” Gusau said.

Gusau explained that the decision was not intended to end his involvement in Nigerian football. Instead, he said his experience and relationships within African football would continue to be available to support the country’s football development.

“So we made consultations between family, friends, and stakeholders, and I decided to resign my position. I advised my Board members that anybody who will follow me should resign,” he added.

The Ibrahim Gusau NFF resignation came alongside the departure of other board members, with the decision taking immediate effect.

The development followed calls for an investigation into the NFF’s handling of Nigerian football. Those calls intensified after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a major setback for one of Africa’s most successful women’s national teams.

Gusau was elected NFF president at the federation’s 78th Elective Congress in Benin City, Edo State, on September 30, 2022. His tenure subsequently became part of a wider debate over the direction and administration of football in Nigeria.

Despite stepping down, Gusau maintained that he intends to remain involved in efforts to improve the sport.

“For me, I want to make it clear, and by the grace of God, we hope to continue making our contribution because of our experience and relationships we have within African football; we will continue to give our contribution for the progress of Nigerian football,” he said.

The resignation now leaves Nigerian football at a significant crossroads, with attention expected to turn towards the next phase of leadership and the reforms needed to restore confidence in the country’s football administration.

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For Gusau, however, leaving office does not mean withdrawing from the sport. His comments suggest that he intends to use his experience and international relationships to continue contributing to Nigerian football from outside the federation’s leadership structure.