NFF Crisis: Gusau Resigns, Tells Board To Consider Their Positions
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has resigned from office after three years and eleven months at the helm of the country's football governing body.
Gusau announced his resignation Thursday while addressing a World Press Conference at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, ending days of speculation over his future. He said the decision to quit followed wide consultations with his family, friends and stakeholders in Nigerian football.
The outgoing NFF President disclosed that he had already communicated his decision to members of the Executive Committee and advised them to also consider their positions. He, however, said it was up to each member to decide whether to remain in office or follow his decision to step aside.
Speaking on his stewardship, Gusau said he was leaving the Federation satisfied that his administration had recorded measurable progress in several areas of Nigerian football. “These three years and eleven months did not just come like that. At least we have something that we can tell Nigerians and the world that we have achieved for the little opportunity we had during this period,” he said.
Gusau listed the revival of coaching education as one of the achievements of his administration, noting that virtually all categories of coaching courses had been conducted. He disclosed that the CAF A Licence course, which has not taken place in Nigeria for eight years, would commence on September 16, with all arrangements already concluded.
“The last one we are going to do is the CAF A Licence training, which has not been taking place for the past eight years, and that will commence on the 16th of September. Everything has been concluded about it,” he said.
He also pointed to the stability recorded in the domestic leagues, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), saying the administration had succeeded in restoring certainty to the football calendar. According to him, the days when league commencement and completion dates were uncertain and fixtures could be postponed without sufficient notice had largely been addressed.
“Before now, none of you as journalists could go anywhere and say this is when our league will start or this is when our league will end,” Gusau said. He added that the improvement in organisation had produced a more competitive league, with the title race in the last campaign remaining open until the closing stages of the season.
The outgoing President also cited improvements in refereeing, saying Nigerian officials were gradually returning to important assignments on the continent. He noted that Nigerian referees were selected to officiate semifinal matches at both the U17 Africa Cup of Nations and the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
On infrastructure, Gusau said the NFF facility project initiated in March 2024 was progressing according to schedule, with one phase already completed. He said the entire project was expected to be completed by March next year in accordance with the two year contract for its delivery.
Gusau also gave an insight into the financial challenges faced by the Federation, blaming the sharp depreciation of the naira for significantly reducing the real value of sponsorship agreements. He said the exchange rate had moved from about N400 to the dollar to approximately N1,400, while the cost of running the national teams and participating in international competitions continued to rise.
He cited the longstanding Nike sponsorship agreement, under which the NFF received $500,000 annually in cash and about $1 million worth of kits, saying the arrangement had become increasingly inadequate to meet the financial demands of Nigerian football. According to him, the Federation opened negotiations with Nike in 2024 for improved terms but both parties could not reach an acceptable agreement.
Gusau said Nike subsequently allowed the NFF to explore alternative sponsors while retaining the right to match any competing offer. He disclosed that Nike eventually declined to match the offer secured by the Federation, paving the way for the NFF to enter into a new agreement with Adidas.
The outgoing President disclosed that the Adidas agreement would earn the NFF $4.5 million annually in cash and another $4 million in kits, in addition to a 20 per cent royalty on retail sales. He described the agreement as the highest kit sponsorship deal in African football.
According to him, Adidas currently operates 13 stores in Nigeria and plans to increase the number to 32 within the next two years. He said the improved financial package would give the Federation greater capacity to engage top coaches for the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, maintain its facilities and invest in youth development.
Gusau said the agreement had already been signed and was originally scheduled to be formally unveiled in September, but decided to disclose it as part of the account of his stewardship before leaving office.
He also reflected on the performance of the national teams under his leadership, pointing to the Super Eagles' silver medal at the Africa Cup of Nations as one of the high points of his tenure. He acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the Super Falcons' failure to qualify for the Women's World Cup, despite the country's strong history in women's football.
Gusau's resignation is expected to trigger fresh developments within the NFF, particularly over who takes charge of the Federation and the positions of other members of the Executive Committee following his decision to step aside.
Attention will also turn to the relevant provisions of the NFF Statutes governing succession and the management of the Federation following the resignation of a sitting President, as Nigerian football enters another critical period in its administration.
