Gusau announced his resignation on Thursday during a press conference held at the NFF Glass House in Abuja. According to him, his decision to leave office was driven by the need to create room for other Nigerians who may wish to contribute their own ideas, experience and efforts towards the growth and development of football in the country.

While reflecting on his time as NFF President, Gusau maintained that he was leaving the federation in a better position than he met it, despite the disappointing failure of both the country’s men’s and women’s national teams to qualify for their respective World Cups.

The outgoing NFF President also revealed that he had informed members of his board about his decision and advised those who wished to follow his example to also resign from their positions. However, he said he could not confirm whether any member of the board had officially stepped down at 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, but as I am talking to you, I cannot tell you who and who or how many board members that have resigned,” Gusau said.

Gusau, however, stressed that his resignation would not mark the end of his involvement in Nigerian football. He pledged to continue offering his experience, knowledge and relationships within African football whenever his contributions are needed for the progress of the game in Nigeria.

“By the grace of God, I hope I can continue to give my contributions because the experience and relationship we have within African football, we will never allow it to go in vain. Whenever we need to give our contributions, we will come here and give our contributions for the progress of the Nigerian people,” he added.

Earlier on Thursday, the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, had also addressed members of the federation’s secretariat, where he announced his own resignation from office.

Gusau’s decision to step down comes amid increasing criticism of football administration in Nigeria, following a series of setbacks involving the country’s national teams. The pressure intensified after the Super Eagles and Super Falcons both failed to secure qualification for their respective World Cups, sparking widespread concerns and calls for changes within the administration of Nigerian football.

Gusau was elected President of the NFF at the federation’s 78th Elective Congress in September 2022. His resignation comes shortly before the completion of his tenure and could have major implications for the federation’s leadership structure and its planned electoral process.

The development may also throw the NFF’s upcoming elections into uncertainty, with the election for a new board scheduled to take place on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.