Nigeria have missed the past two editions of the men's World Cup while the West Africans will also be absent from the 2027 Women's World Cup An interim board has been appointed to lead the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after the organisation's president, general secretary and executive committee all resigned to leave a power vacuum at the top of the sport in the country.
Outgoing president Ibrahim Gusau – whose tenure was set to expire in 33 days – confirmed he was stepping down during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, saying he had come to the decision "after consultation with family, friends and stakeholders". Elected in September 2022, he had faced mounting scrutiny over the performance of Nigeria's national teams and youth sides but was expected to stand for re-election next month.
Beyond results on the pitch, which have included the Super Eagles missing out on the past two Fifa World Cups, the NFF has faced questions over governance and financial management. The country's President Bola Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of the game to overcome "repeated failures" following the resignations of Gusau, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and the 11 other members of the executive committee.
Emmanuel Ikpeme, who had previously held the post of deputy general secretary, has become interim general secretary and Ademola Olajire, who oversaw the NFF's media and communications department, will be interim deputy general secretary. The NFF elections scheduled for 27 September have been suspended.
The organisation says a fresh electoral process will commence "following the completion of the anticipated comprehensive reforms" which will be undertaken in consultation with world governing body Fifa and the Confederation of African Football. President Tinubu said the aim of the reforms was to build a "stronger, more accountable and successful system" in Nigeria's most popular sport.
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