Gusau announced his decision on Thursday during a press conference at the NFF headquarters, popularly known as the Glass House, in Abuja.
Explaining his decision, the former NFF president said he chose to step aside to allow other Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the development and administration of football in the country.
Gusau said he had informed members of his board about his decision and encouraged those willing to follow him to also resign. However, he said he could not confirm whether any other board member had resigned as of the time of his announcement.
“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,” Gusau said.
He maintained that despite the setbacks recorded by Nigeria’s national teams during his tenure, he was leaving the federation in a better position than he found it.
Gusau also pledged to remain involved in Nigerian football and make his experience and relationships within African football available whenever the country requires his contribution.
“Whenever we need to give our contributions we will come here and give our contributions for the progress of the Nigerian people,” he said.
His resignation came on the same day the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, announced his own resignation while addressing staff at the federation’s secretariat.
Gusau was elected NFF president in September 2022 at the federation’s 78th Elective Congress. His departure therefore comes before the scheduled end of the current leadership cycle.
The development has also raised questions about the federation’s upcoming electoral process. The NFF had scheduled elections for its board for September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Gusau’s resignation follows a period of intense scrutiny of football administration in Nigeria, with concerns over the performance and management of the country’s national teams.
The NFF will now face the task of managing the transition while preparing for its next electoral process. Attention is expected to turn to who will provide interim leadership and whether the planned September election will proceed as scheduled.
For Nigerian football, Gusau’s resignation marks a significant change at the top of the country’s football governing body and opens a new chapter in the administration of the sport.
