Pressure mounts on Ibrahim Gusau-led board as alleged resignations threaten the NFF’s September 27 elective congress in Lafia.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is facing mounting pressure over the administration of the country’s football, with the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly investigating the utilisation of a N17 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the federation.

The latest development comes at a difficult time for Nigerian football, following the Super Falcons’ historic failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria had featured in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991. Their failure to secure a place at the next edition therefore marks an unprecedented setback for the country’s women’s football.

According to a report by Vanguard, the DSS has joined other security agencies in scrutinising the NFF’s management of funds released by the Federal Government for the payment of outstanding wages, bonuses and other obligations involving Nigeria’s national teams.

The N17 billion intervention was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to settle outstanding financial commitments owed to members of the national teams.

An authoritative source quoted by Vanguard on Monday said the DSS had requested documentation from NFF officials to establish how the funds released to the federation were utilised.

“It’s a normal thing for DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released to them,” the source reportedly said, dismissing concerns that the investigation amounted to a witch-hunt or an attempt to intimidate NFF officials.

The reported probe adds to growing concerns about the management of Nigerian football, with the national teams experiencing a series of disappointing results and administrative challenges in recent years.

The crisis deepened after the Super Falcons failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup following their disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the tournament, ending their title defence and forcing them into the World Cup qualification playoff route.

Nigeria subsequently faced South Africa for a place at the global tournament. The Banyana Banyana defeated the Falcons 2-1 in the playoff, ending Nigeria’s remarkable record of appearing at every Women’s World Cup since 1991.

The setback has intensified calls for accountability within the NFF, with the federation’s leadership already facing criticism over the broader decline of Nigeria’s national teams.

The Super Eagles have also missed consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, adding to concerns about the direction of Nigerian football and the effectiveness of the federation’s leadership.

The NFF executive committee, led by President Ibrahim Gusau, has consequently come under increasing pressure to resign.

The situation has reportedly been compounded by the alleged resignation of more than half of the board members. Eight of the 13 members of the NFF board are alleged to have resigned, although the full implications of the reported departures remain subject to official clarification.

The leadership crisis could also have consequences for the NFF’s planned elective congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

With the federation facing both financial scrutiny and internal instability, attention is now focused on whether the reported investigation and resignations will affect the electoral process and the future leadership of Nigerian football.

For a country with a rich football tradition and a history of producing world-class players and teams, the latest developments have renewed calls for greater transparency, accountability and a comprehensive overhaul of football administration.