Nigerian football is facing one of its deepest crises of confidence in recent memory. The frustration is no longer simply about results on the pitch; it is about leadership, accountability, administration and the direction of the country’s most passionately followed sport.
Since Ibrahim Musa Gusau assumed office as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in 2022, Nigerian football has endured a succession of painful setbacks. The failure of the Super Eagles to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has intensified public anger, while disappointing outcomes involving other national teams and age-grade sides have added to the growing perception that Nigerian football desperately needs a new direction.
For a football-loving nation of more than 200 million people, these failures cannot continue to be treated as ordinary sporting disappointments. They raise legitimate questions about planning, development, administration and, ultimately, leadership.
The Domestic Game Cannot Be Ignored
The problems go far beyond the national teams.
Nigeria’s domestic football structure continues to struggle with poor stadium attendance, sponsorship challenges, inconsistent television coverage, financial difficulties among clubs and recurring complaints over players’ welfare.
Nigerian clubs have also struggled to establish themselves consistently among Africa’s elite in CAF competitions.
The women’s domestic game deserves even greater attention. Nigerian women’s football has produced some of Africa’s finest players, yet the domestic structure has struggled to receive the investment, visibility and commercial support required to match the enormous talent available in the country.
When domestic football is weak, the consequences eventually reach the national teams.
Nigeria cannot continue to depend heavily on discovering players abroad while neglecting the system that should be developing thousands of talented footballers at home.
Gusau and Sanusi Must Accept Responsibility
At the centre of the growing criticism are NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
Leadership comes with responsibility, particularly when results repeatedly fall below expectations.
Gusau must accept responsibility for the performance of Nigerian football under his administration. Explanations and promises of improvement can only go so far when supporters have repeatedly been asked to endure disappointment.
Sanusi’s position deserves equally serious scrutiny.
Having served as NFF General Secretary since 2015, he has occupied one of the most powerful administrative positions in Nigerian football for more than a decade. When an institution continues to struggle over such a long period, it is reasonable to ask whether continuity has ceased to provide stability and instead become an obstacle to reform.
This should not be reduced to personalities, ethnicity or regional considerations. It should be about performance and accountability.
The fundamental question is simple: Is Nigerian football better today than it was when these administrators assumed responsibility?
If the answer is no, then change should not be considered an act of hostility. It should be regarded as a necessary part of institutional accountability.
The NSC Has a Historic Responsibility
Attention has therefore shifted towards the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Federal Government.
There have been reports and speculation about possible changes to the NFF leadership and even suggestions that the existing electoral process could be reconsidered.
If reform is genuinely being contemplated, it must go beyond replacing a few individuals while leaving the same structure untouched.
Nigeria does not need another cosmetic reshuffle.
It needs genuine reform.
If the current football political structure is incapable of producing the change Nigerians are demanding, then every lawful and football-compliant mechanism for reform should be examined.
One option being discussed is the establishment of a normalisation committee. Properly constituted and recognised by the international football authorities, such a committee could provide an opportunity to review the administration of Nigerian football, examine governance structures, strengthen transparency and prepare the ground for credible elections.
But there is an important warning.
Nigeria Must Not Fight FIFA
Whatever action the Federal Government or NSC takes must recognise the statutes and authority of FIFA and CAF.
FIFA has consistently opposed undue third-party or government interference in the affairs of national football associations. Nigeria therefore cannot afford an approach that produces domestic victory but international isolation.
A suspension from international football would punish the very people Nigerians are trying to protect — the players, clubs, coaches and supporters.
That is why any proposed transition must involve proper consultation with FIFA and CAF.
If a normalisation committee becomes necessary, its mandate should be clear, transparent and time-bound. There should be a published roadmap towards credible elections, safeguards against political interference in football matters and strong measures to ensure that those appointed to supervise the transition do not manipulate the process for their own electoral ambitions.
No More Recycling
This is perhaps the most important point.
Nigeria does not need to remove one group of administrators only to replace them with another collection of familiar faces from the same failed system.
That would not be reform.
It would simply be recycling.
Nigerian football needs administrators with competence, integrity, modern ideas and measurable plans for youth development, domestic football, sponsorship, infrastructure, refereeing, coaching development and national-team success.
The country needs an NFF that understands that football administration is no longer merely about attending congresses, controlling votes or travelling with national teams.
Modern football is a multibillion-dollar industry requiring strategic planning, commercial expertise, transparency and professional management.
Nigeria possesses the players, supporters, history and commercial potential to become one of the world’s great football nations.
What has been missing is an administrative system capable of converting that enormous potential into sustainable success.
The NSC and Federal Government therefore face an important moment.
If change is necessary, they should pursue it courageously — but intelligently.
They must not win an internal battle against a struggling football administration only to lose Nigeria’s international standing with FIFA and CAF.
The objective must be bigger than removing Gusau or Sanusi.
The objective must be to rescue Nigerian football, restore public confidence and build a system capable of succeeding long after today’s administrators have left office.
Nigeria has recycled failure for too long.
This time, the change must be real.
Dili Nuel, Anambra
