NFF Summons Emergency Congress In Abuja

NFF Summons Emergency Congress In Abuja 

By Niyi Busari 

 The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to convene an emergency Congress in Abuja following the reported resignation of President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and several members of the federation’s Executive Committee, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

A member of the NFF Congress, who spoke exclusively to BSN Sports on condition of anonymity, said delegates had received invitations to attend the emergency meeting.

“I just woke up to read a notice of the emergency Congress holding in Abuja, and we were advised to arrive today,” the congressman said.

The development comes amid mounting pressure on the NFF leadership following a series of disappointing results involving Nigeria’s national teams.

Reports on Thursday morning indicated that Gusau and members of the Executive Committee had resigned, although some reports said official confirmation of the mass resignation was still being awaited.

The latest crisis follows Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ historic failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Falcons’ elimination by South Africa in the African play-off ended Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.

Emergency Congress could determine next steps

The emergency Congress is expected to provide a platform for delegates to consider the implications of the resignations and determine the next steps for the administration of Nigerian football.

One of the immediate questions is the status of the NFF’s previously scheduled elective Congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The NFF had officially moved the election from September 26 to September 27, 2026, following a scheduling conflict with the Super Eagles’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

However, uncertainty had already surrounded the election before the latest resignations. Reports earlier in August indicated that the National Sports Commission (NSC) was considering a reorganisation of the federation and a possible normalisation committee, while the NSC subsequently denied reports that the Federal Government had ordered the NFF leadership to resign.

The latest developments could therefore result in a review of the existing electoral timetable and the process for establishing an interim leadership structure.

The resignation of the president does not necessarily leave the federation without someone capable of presiding over its affairs in the immediate term.

The NFF Statutes provide for the First Vice-President to deputise for the president when the president is absent or unavailable. The provision has previously been cited in proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport concerning the NFF.

NFF First Vice-President Felix Anyansi-Agwu was identified by the federation earlier this year as the holder of that position.

Consequently, the emergency Congress could be presided over by the First Vice-President, subject to the precise circumstances and procedures arising from the reported resignations.

What happens to the September election?

The status of the September 27 election is now one of the key issues facing Congress.

Before the current crisis, Gusau was seeking a second term after being elected NFF president at the federation's 2022 elective congress in Benin City.

His administration had also been facing growing opposition from some stakeholders, who questioned the electoral process and called for reforms ahead of the scheduled polls.

The reported resignations could fundamentally alter that process.

The emergency Congress may therefore be required to clarify whether the existing electoral roadmap remains valid, whether an interim administration will be established and whether a fresh electoral timetable will be necessary.

Until the NFF formally communicates the decisions of the emergency Congress, reports concerning the cancellation or continuation of the September election should be treated with caution.

A critical moment for Nigerian football

The leadership crisis comes at a particularly difficult period for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup after their defeat to South Africa in the play-off.

The NFF is also facing wider questions over football administration, funding, electoral reforms and the management of the national teams.

The outcome of the emergency Congress could therefore have consequences extending beyond the immediate leadership changes, particularly if delegates opt for a broader restructuring of the federation.

For now, the focus will be on Abuja, where NFF Congress members are expected to deliberate on the leadership crisis and chart a new course for the administration of Nigerian football.