The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, and several members of the federation’s executive committee have resigned amid growing scrutiny over the administration of Nigerian football.

The resignations followed sustained pressure on the NFF leadership over the performance of the national teams and the management of funds allocated to the federation.

The crisis intensified after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1991.

The Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), ending their title defence and forcing Nigeria into the World Cup qualification playoff route.

Nigeria subsequently lost 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the playoff, ending the country’s uninterrupted appearance at the Women’s World Cup.

The NFF has also come under scrutiny from security agencies over the utilisation of a N17 billion Federal Government intervention fund approved in 2024 to settle outstanding wages and bonuses owed to players and officials of Nigeria’s national teams.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is among the agencies examining documents relating to the fund.

A source familiar with the matter said the DSS had requested documentation showing how the funds released to the NFF were utilised.

“It’s a normal thing for DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released to them,” the source said, dismissing suggestions that the exercise was intended as a witch hunt.

The investigation comes against the backdrop of wider concerns about the management of Nigerian football, including the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for successive FIFA World Cup tournaments and the Super Falcons’ historic World Cup setback.

Pressure had been mounting on Gusau and other members of the NFF executive committee to step aside following the series of setbacks and the resignation of several board members.

Eight of the 13 members of the NFF board have reportedly resigned.

The departures have raised questions over the status of the NFF’s planned elections, scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The latest development could affect preparations for the election and create further uncertainty over the leadership and administration of Nigerian football.