NFF Mass Resignation: N17 Billion Mismanagement Scandal Details

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is facing a fresh leadership crisis following the reported resignation of its President, Ibrahim Gusau, and eight other members of the federation’s 13-man board, KeepLoss understands.

The mass resignation comes amid mounting scrutiny over the management of Nigerian football and allegations surrounding the utilisation of a ₦17 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the federation.

KeepLoss reports that the fund was approved in 2024 to settle outstanding financial obligations involving Nigeria’s national teams, including players’ salaries and bonuses. However, the handling of the money has reportedly attracted the attention of security agencies, with the Department of State Services (DSS) said to be examining documents relating to how the funds were utilised.

Sources familiar with the matter said NFF officials were being asked to provide records and other documents connected to the intervention fund as part of the investigation.

The crisis has also unfolded against the backdrop of declining fortunes for Nigeria’s national teams.

The Super Eagles have missed consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, while the Super Falcons recently failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, ending Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the competition since its inception in 1991.

The Falcons’ World Cup hopes were dealt a major blow after a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria later lost 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the qualification playoff.

The reported exit of Gusau and eight other board members means more than half of the NFF’s executive committee may no longer be in office, raising questions over the federation’s leadership and the conduct of its scheduled September 27 elections in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The NFF had already been under pressure over what critics described as poor management and a series of disappointing results involving the country’s national teams.

With the federation now facing a leadership shake-up alongside scrutiny over the ₦17 billion intervention fund, attention is expected to turn to the outcome of the investigation and the next steps for the administration of Nigerian football.