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Finally, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has announced his resignation from office.

He made the announcement during a press conference at the NFF Glass House in Abuja on Thursday.

Addressing the press, Gusau said he decided to step aside to give other Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the development of football in the country.

He maintained that despite the failure of the federation’s men’s and women’s teams to qualify for the World Cups, he was leaving the NFF in a better position than he found it.

Gusau also disclosed that he had advised members of his board to resign, but said he was not aware of any board member who had so far stepped down.

“I just want to tell you that I decided to resign my position as the NFF President. I informed my board members and advised them that anybody who wants to follow me to also resign, but as I am talking to you I cannot tell you who and who or how many board members that have resigned,” he said.

Gusau said he would continue to contribute to the development of football in Nigeria, pledging to make his experience and connections within African football available whenever the country needs them.

“By the grace of God I hope I can continue to give my contributions because the experience and relationship we have within the African football, we will never allow it to go in vain. Whenever we need to give our contributions we will come here and give our contributions for the progress of the Nigerian people.”

Earlier in the day, the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, also addressed members of the federation’s secretariat, where he announced his resignation.

Gusau’s resignation comes amid growing criticism of football administration in Nigeria, following recent setbacks suffered by the country’s national teams, particularly the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, who both failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Gusau, who was elected to lead the Nigerian football governing body at the 78th Elective Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation in September 2022, stepped down shortly before the end of his tenure.

The resignation could throw the NFF’s planned electoral process into uncertainty and potentially affect the September 27 elections for the federation’s board, which are scheduled to hold in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year after an outstanding 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

The 31-year-old midfielder played a key role in United’s third-place finish, providing a league-record 21 assists and scoring nine goals. His performances also saw him become the second-fastest Manchester United player in the Premier League era to reach 200 goal involvements, achieving the milestone in 314 appearances, behind only Wayne Rooney’s 295.

Fernandes, who joined United in 2020, is the second Portuguese player to win the prestigious award after Cristiano Ronaldo claimed it in 2007 and 2008.

United manager Michael Carrick gave Fernandes greater freedom in attack, a role that allowed the captain to further influence matches with his creativity and vision.
“Bruno can just create moments. He’s bright. I think that little bit of freedom suits him,” Carrick said earlier in the season.
Fernandes has now recorded 110 goals and 106 assists for United. His award also means Manchester United players have won the men’s PFA Player of the Year prize 12 times, more than any other club in England and Wales.

In the women’s category, Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw was named PFA Women’s Player of the Year for the second time after finishing as the Women’s Super League’s top scorer with 21 goals.

Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly won the Men’s Young Player of the Year award after making 53 appearances and scoring nine goals in a breakthrough campaign. Arsenal striker Olivia Smith claimed the Women’s Young Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year.

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year included David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Nico O’Reilly, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Bruno Fernandes, Declan Rice, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Igor Thiago.

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The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and its General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, have resigned from their respective positions, weeks before the federation’s elective congress.

Sanusi, who previously served as the federation’s chief scribe, confirmed the development in a statement, saying both he and Gusau had stepped down.

“Yes, the news about the resignation of the president and myself is true,” Sanusi reportedly said.

The development came amid mounting pressure on the NFF leadership and less than one month before the federation’s elective congress scheduled to hold on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Gusau had, however, dismissed suggestions that he was under pressure when he spoke with journalists on Wednesday during the unveiling of the Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The resignation marks an unprecedented development in the history of football administration in Nigeria, with the NFF’s two top officials leaving office at the same time.

The leadership had been embroiled in a prolonged dispute with the Shehu Dikko-led National Sports Commission over several administrative and funding-related matters.

The disagreement reportedly affected the release of funds to the NFF for the organisation and participation in various domestic, national and international football competitions.

The latest development is expected to have significant implications for the administration of Nigerian football as stakeholders prepare for the September elective congress.