Former Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee member and Congress member, Hon. Yahaya Kwande, has described Ibrahim Musa Gusau’s resignation as a sad development but praised the former NFF president for what he called an honourable decision to step aside at a difficult moment for Nigerian football.
Kwande, who has served within the NFF’s decision-making structure, said Gusau gave his best to Nigerian football during his tenure and that voluntarily relinquishing power remains unusual in Nigeria’s public life.
“It is a sad development, but I want to commend Gusau for taking what I consider an honourable decision,” Kwande said.
The former NFF executive committee member said Gusau’s decision to resign should be viewed in the context of the enormous pressure surrounding Nigerian football following a series of disappointing results involving the country’s national teams.
Gusau announced his resignation on Thursday at a World Press Conference in Abuja, saying he had reached the decision after consultations with his family, friends and stakeholders within the football community.
The NFF subsequently confirmed that General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee had also resigned.
Kwande believes Gusau deserves credit for choosing to leave voluntarily rather than holding on to office amid the growing pressure.
“He has given his best to Nigerian football,” Kwande said.
“It is not common in Nigeria for people in public positions to voluntarily step down.”
Gusau’s resignation came just 34 days before the scheduled end of his four-year tenure. He had been elected NFF president in September 2022 after succeeding Amaju Pinnick.
His administration recorded some notable successes, including the Super Falcons’ 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, as well as progress in coaching education, domestic league organisation and football infrastructure.
However, the administration was ultimately placed under severe pressure after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons suffered the historic disappointment of missing the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria’s women’s team had previously qualified for every edition of the competition since its inception in 1991.
Kwande, however, cautioned against rushing into conclusions about what should happen next.
With Gusau, Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee now out, the immediate question is who should take responsibility for the administration of Nigerian football and whether the existing electoral process can continue.
“I think it will be premature to discuss the direction Nigerian football will take next,” Kwande said.
According to him, the NFF Congress remains an important part of determining the way forward, stressing that members must collectively consider the next steps rather than allowing individuals to decide the future of the federation.
“The Congress members will have to collectively decide on the way forward,” he added.
The development has already triggered discussions about an emergency Congress and the possibility of a broader reform process before a new election is held.
Reports indicate that Congress members, including state FA chairmen, clubs, coaches, players and referees’ representatives, are expected to deliberate on the implications of the resignations and the next steps under NFF, CAF and FIFA statutes.
Kwande’s position reflects the uncertainty now surrounding Nigerian football.
While he believes Gusau’s decision deserves respect, he does not want the former president’s resignation to become an excuse for individuals to impose their preferred solution on the federation.
Instead, he wants the Congress to take responsibility for determining the next chapter.
The former NFF official was among the football stakeholders who had previously supported Gusau’s administration. In July, Kwande was present when North-Central football association chairmen endorsed Gusau for a second term, praising his leadership and development initiatives.
That makes his reaction to Gusau’s resignation particularly significant.
Just weeks after publicly supporting the former president’s continuation in office, Kwande is now calling for restraint and collective decision-making following his departure.
For Kwande, the immediate priority should not be personalities but the future of Nigerian football.
And as the NFF prepares for what could be one of the most important leadership transitions in its history, his message is clear: Gusau deserves respect for choosing an honourable exit, but the responsibility for deciding what comes next belongs to the football Congress.
