Gusau to Address Media Amid Speculation Over NFF Leadership
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, is scheduled to address journalists in Abuja today, Thursday, amid growing speculation that he could resign from his position.
The media briefing is expected to hold at 12 noon at the NFF headquarters, Sunday Dankaro Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Gusau is expected to speak on several issues that have dominated Nigerian football in recent weeks, including the 2026 NFF elections, the future of the current Executive Committee and reports of pressure on the federation’s leadership to step down.
The NFF Elective Congress is scheduled to take place on September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The date was moved from September 26 after Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar was fixed for September 25.
The NFF said the change was made to allow candidates and other stakeholders attending the match to take part in the congress.
However, the election has been surrounded by reports of possible government intervention in the running of Nigerian football.
One of the claims is that the National Sports Commission (NSC) was considering cancelling the planned election and setting up a normalisation committee to manage the NFF until a fresh electoral process.
The reports have caused uncertainty among football stakeholders. The NSC has not confirmed reports that the Federal Government ordered the NFF leadership to resign, although it has acknowledged that discussions are taking place on challenges facing Nigerian football.
There have also been reports that some members of the NFF Executive Committee could leave the board. THISDAY reported that up to nine members had allegedly considered resigning together, although the NFF has not officially confirmed the reports.
Against this background, Gusau’s appearance before the media is expected to give him an opportunity to respond to the different claims and explain what is confirmed and what remains speculation.
A major question is whether Gusau has been asked by the Presidency, the NSC or the Department of State Services (DSS) to resign. Claims of such a directive have circulated widely, but there has been no official confirmation of any order.
There has also been speculation about Gusau’s whereabouts, with some reports suggesting that he was staying away because of a possible arrest by the DSS.
Those claims came under further doubt on Wednesday when Gusau appeared publicly at the unveiling of the Nigeria Premier Football League’s new identity and its commercial partnership with EuroMatch in Abuja.
The NPFL unveiled a new logo and announced a three-year, $7.5 million title sponsorship deal with EuroMatch, worth $2.5 million per season. Sixty per cent of the sponsorship money is expected to go to participating clubs.
Gusau was among the football stakeholders who attended the event.
Today’s briefing comes at an important time, just days before the NFF election process moves into a key stage.
According to the published timetable, screening of candidates is scheduled for August 28–30, while the list of cleared candidates is expected on August 31. The final list is due to be published between September 11 and 12, with campaigning scheduled for September 14–24.
The situation comes at a familiar stage in NFF elections, which have often been marked by intense lobbying, competing interests and claims of political influence.
Gusau is also expected to speak on the wider state of Nigerian football, including concerns over the performance of the national teams and the relationship between the NFF and government authorities.
With different reports continuing to circulate, the main focus of today’s briefing will be whether Gusau can provide clear answers on the September 27 election, reports of pressure on the NFF leadership and the alleged involvement of the NSC.
The briefing could therefore become one of Gusau’s most important public appearances ahead of the 2026 NFF Elective Congress.
