President Tinubu Orders Comprehensive Football Reform After Gusau, NFF Board Members Resign

President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football to overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments, completesports.com reports.

This was disclosed in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The call for football reform by Tinubu comes following the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Gusau and members of his board on Thursday.

Gusau and other members of the NFF Executive Committee faced intense pressure following a string of disappointing results recorded by Nigeria’s national teams.

The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was one of the major setbacks recorded under the administration.

The Super Falcons also missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, bringing an end to Nigeria’s ever-present record at the tournament since its maiden edition in 1991.

According to Onanuga, the President said the reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football.

Also Read: Gusau-Led NFF Board Deserves Thorough Probe To Ensure Accountability — Ikhana
 
He noted that while other sports had recorded meaningful progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has continued to struggle because of structural weaknesses within the system.

  “Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” Tinubu said.

  He stressed that Nigerian football must begin to match the country’s exceptional talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions and sustained performance.

  President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration and facilitate a broad, consultative reform process.

  He said the process will include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.

  Also, the President called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work together to build a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.