FIFA Accepts Gusau Sanusi Other NFF Officials Resignations

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has formally accepted the resignations of former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and other members of the federation’s Executive Committee, National Sports Commission (NSC) Director General Bukola Olopade has confirmed.

The development follows the mass resignation of key NFF officials last week amid calls for reforms aimed at improving the administration and performance of Nigerian football.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Olopade confirmed FIFA’s decision after leading a Nigerian delegation to a meeting with senior FIFA officials in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko was part of the delegation, while former NFF President and ex-FIFA Council member Amaju Pinnick, NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Director of Legal Services Okey Obi also attended the meeting.

Pinnick participated in his capacity as Special Adviser to the CAF President and Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CAF Second Vice President Kurt Okraku and FIFA Director of Member Associations for Africa Gelson Fernandes were also involved in the discussions.

Olopade described the meeting as productive, stating that FIFA had agreed to continue engaging the NSC and other relevant stakeholders to establish an acceptable framework for the proposed reforms in Nigerian football.

“We had a very good engagement with FIFA in Zurich concerning the current state of Nigerian football following recent mass resignations of members of the NFF Board,” Olopade said in a post on X.

He added that FIFA had accepted the resignations of the former NFF executives and pledged to maintain discussions with the Sports Commission as efforts continue to implement reforms aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Olopade expressed optimism that the ongoing developments would help reposition Nigerian football and improve the country’s performance on the international stage.

“Nigeria football is rising again,” he stated.