President Bola Tinubu on Thursday ordered a comprehensive overhaul and reform of Nigerian football to overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments.

Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, announced the president’s directive in a statement on Thursday, shortly after Ibrahim Gusau resigned as president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” Mr Tinubu said.

“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,” he added.

Mr Tinubu also 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.

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

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Gusau announced his resignation in Abuja, ending his three years and 11 months in charge of Nigerian football.

“I have decided to resign my position as the president of NFF after consultations with my family and friends. I have also advised my board members, those who are willing, to resign as well,” he said.

Mr Gusau’s resignation followed concerns over Nigeria’s recent poor performances at international football events. 

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, while the Super Falcons missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The country’s age-grade teams also recorded poor results, with the Golden Eaglets unable to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in three consecutive editions.