President Tinubu orders sweeping football reform after NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and the entire executive committee resign, directing NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko to consult FIFA and CAF on the way forward.
Abuja — August 27, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a "comprehensive reform" of Nigerian football, hours after NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, and the federation's entire Executive Committee resigned amid mounting pressure over the sport's performance.
In a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the reform must address "governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability," blaming "structural deficits" for football's continued struggles even as other sports have progressed under the reconstituted National Sports Commission.
The shake-up follows a brutal stretch for Nigerian football: the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup despite Africa's expanded 10-slot allocation, while the Super Falcons missed the Women's World Cup for the first time since the tournament's 1991 inception.
Age-grade teams, the men's U-17 and U-20 sides, also failed to qualify for their respective World Cups.
Tinubu directed NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko to work with the NFF Secretariat to maintain administrative continuity while facilitating a broad, consultative reform process, one that must include engagement with FIFA and CAF to shield Nigeria from sanctions over governmental interference.
The NFF's elective congress, previously scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, now faces uncertainty, with reports suggesting a normalisation committee could to oversee the federation in the interim.
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