Nigeria’s football leadership resigns amid governance concerns

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has undergone a leadership shakeup as the president, general secretary, and executive committee members resigned amid mounting governance concerns. Ibrahim Gusau, the outgoing president, announced his resignation after consultations with family, friends, and stakeholders. He had faced criticism over Nigeria's national teams' performance, especially after the men's team failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.

The Super Falcons, Nigeria's women's team, missed out on a spot at the 2027 World Cup, ending their perfect streak of attending every Women's World Cup since 1991. The men's team, known as the Super Eagles, finished second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations but struggled to make an impact in continental and global competitions at the youth level.

The NFF has convened an emergency congress in Abuja to address its future following the resignations. Governance and financial issues have been under scrutiny, with allegations of board members influencing team selection and coaches making calls based on financial gain rather than performance. These concerns were highlighted by a fact-finding committee's report, which recommended comprehensive reforms.

Former Nigeria internationals have called for a complete break from the cycle of administrators responsible for years of underperformance. While the resignations create uncertainty, some stakeholders see this as an opportunity for long-awaited structural reforms and a cultural reset.