With the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elections drawing closer, a growing chorus of young Nigerian football supporters is pressing for a change at the top, calling on NFF president Ibrahim Gusau to step aside and make room for a new wave of administrators. The youths argue that the federation requires fresh thinking and a different leadership direction to tackle long-standing issues that have continued to weigh on the domestic game, even as some observers insist Gusau should be given more time to complete the reforms he has been pursuing.
Gusau was elected NFF president on 30 September 2022 at the federation’s 78th Elective Congress in Benin City, Edo State. That timing has become part of the wider debate, particularly as the national teams have struggled to deliver at the highest level during his tenure.
Nigeria’s inability to qualify for a second straight FIFA World Cup has intensified demands for leadership change, with many football fans arguing that the federation must respond decisively after falling short again on the global stage.
One supporter, Samuel Dare, said he does not believe Gusau has earned the right to seek another term. Dare argued that prior to Gusau taking office, Nigeria had not experienced the same pattern of missing consecutive World Cup tournaments, and he said the country has underperformed since the current administration took over.
Dare also pointed to the contrast between the women’s and men’s teams. He highlighted that the women’s side has continued to make Nigeria proud by winning the WAFCON for the 10th time, while he described it as a major disappointment that the men’s team, the Super Eagles, were not present at the last two World Cup editions even though they showed strong form during the final two AFCON tournaments.
Another fan, David Adekeye, chose a more balanced stance, acknowledging both positive progress and areas of concern. He referenced the proposed rise in monetary support for clubs that succeed in the NPFL, describing it as one of Gusau’s initiatives, and noted that it has been backed by the NSC under the leadership of Alhaji Shehu Dikko. Adekeye said that direction is a positive step, adding that football lovers want the sport to develop across all levels.
However, Adekeye questioned whether Gusau has done enough to justify another election. He specifically pointed to the situation of youth national teams such as the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles, arguing that the work completed over the years has not been sufficient to guarantee a re-election.
Adekeye further addressed whether Gusau has earned a second term. He said that in the first couple of years to around three years, he did not believe the president had done enough, but in the most recent year, he felt there had been improvement. Still, he said the lingering concerns are tied to how the administration has responded to setbacks, raising doubts about whether any recent recovery is connected to election timing and whether a new term could lead to a “reset” away from the momentum being claimed.
Those views have also spread across social media, where a Facebook post addressed directly to Gusau has been circulating. The post, linked to firebrand journalist Oni Guarantor, drew attention to the resignations of the presidents of the Saudi Arabian and South Korean football federations after their teams produced disappointing performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, presenting those exits as an example of accountability in leadership.
In the message, Oni Guarantor asked what Gusau has achieved during his first four years that would justify a second term. He questioned why Nigerians should grant another mandate for what the author described as a failed stretch, arguing that leadership requires taking responsibility when outcomes fall short.
