The Federal Government of Nigeria has reportedly given the Nigeria Football Federation board, led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, 24 hours to resign, according to a report by Arise News on Thursday, August 20, 2026, amid mounting concerns over the country’s recent football setbacks.

The reported resignation ultimatum comes after a difficult run for several of Nigeria’s national teams, with the Super Falcons and Super Eagles suffering particularly damaging qualification setbacks.

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The report has not, however, been independently confirmed by an official statement from the Federal Government or the NFF.

The distinction is significant as the reported directive could have major implications for the administration of Nigerian football.

Gusau has led the NFF since September 2022 and is preparing for an elective congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The federation confirmed in July that the congress had been moved from September 26 to accommodate the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

The pressure on the federation intensified following the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria, the defending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions, were eliminated by Cameroon in the WAFCON quarter-finals before losing 2-1 to South Africa in a subsequent World Cup qualification play-off.

The defeat means the Super Falcons will miss the Women’s World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1991.

The Super Eagles have also endured a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign. Nigeria finished behind South Africa in their group before losing to DR Congo on penalties in the African play-off final after a 1-1 draw.

That outcome means Nigeria will miss the men’s World Cup for a second successive edition, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Nigeria’s age-grade teams have faced difficulties as well. The Golden Eaglets failed to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and consequently missed the U-17 World Cup, despite Nigeria’s record of five titles at the global tournament.

The sequence of setbacks has placed renewed attention on the NFF’s leadership, with questions likely to centre on administration, technical planning and the federation’s broader approach to developing the national teams.

The timing is particularly striking because the NFF is already moving towards its next elective congress.

The September election is expected to determine the federation’s executive leadership for another four-year term.

Gusau’s leadership has also attracted scrutiny ahead of the election, with reports indicating that he has secured endorsements as he seeks another term in office.

The election process has generated debate among football stakeholders, including concerns over its competitiveness and transparency.

For now, the reported 24-hour deadline remains unverified by the two institutions directly concerned.

Neither the Federal Government nor the NFF had, at the time of reporting, issued an official confirmation of an order requiring the board to step down.

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Any confirmed directive would represent a dramatic development for Nigerian football and could reshape the leadership landscape ahead of the NFF’s September elective congress.