By Obiako Christ Okechukwu on September 2, 2026

I received the news of the resignation of the erstwhile Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, and his board, as well as  Nigeria football's greatest despot, Muhammed Sanusi (ex-NFF Secretary), with a pinch of salt.

In other climes, corruption in politics is 'acceptable'. Nepotism in market squares is 'pardonable'.

Even in churches, where custodians of morality and uprightness have been indicted for hundreds of thousands of cases of sexual and financial  recklessness, somehow, they're spared grave consequences.

But in football circles, you dare not play games if you find yourself saddled with the responsibility of administering football in 'volatile' countries like England, Italy, Germany,  France, even Egypt.

That Nigerians are celebrating Gusau for throwing in the towel with his entire NFF board is simply laughable.

That Nigeria's football stakeholders are not calling on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and prosecute the Zamfara State-born football administrator is simply sardonic.

That nobody is bold enough to ask the poignant question, "Where's the 17 billion naira grant the Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu released to Gusau's NFF for the settlement of salaries, allowances and debts owed hotels, players, coaches and match officials?"

Why is nobody questioning Amaju Pinnick's imposition of himself on Nigeria's football?

Why is the Warri wolf still hanging around the corridors of Nigeria's football as if his umbilical cord is tied therein?

Few days ago when the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, went on a very expensive wild goose chase to Switzerland (with five other football  'entertainers') I sighted Pinnick in their entourage. 

That Pinnick, who - at the height of his corrosive reign as NFF President - signed a contract of 500,000 dollars (a year) with American kit sponsors, Nike, is still boldly throwing his weight around Nigeria's football calls for alarm.

You ask yourself, why is this guy unashamedly showing his face in public?

Why is he so audacious and loud?

Why is he so insensitive and unrepentant - after the blatant devastation he brought on Nigeria's football?

THIS TYPE OF REFORM CAN'T SAVE NIGERIA'S FOOTBALL

From all indications, President Tinubu dangled the big axe that arm-twisted Gusau and his NFF 'board of jesters' into abandoning their dollar-spinning business of running Nigeria's football.

It was either they resigned en masse, or they enjoyed their massive loot in prison.

Does that bring succour to Nigeria's football? The answer is a capital NO.

If the NSC chairman, Dikko, could be hosting State FA chairmen, it means  the hand of the monkey is still hovering around the pot of soup.

If a grossly incompetent and  corruption-personified NFF life president is still part of a merry-go-round Nigeria's contingent to embattled FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, what type of reform are we even talking about?

If the 17 billion naira federal government grant is not investigated, and Gusau and his avaricious gang made to face the full weight of the law, how would incoming NFF custodians learn any lesson?

REFORM SHOULD BE THOROUGH: GUMEL MUST GO

If it took Nigeria decades to wake from a very deep and devastating slumber to tackle the impunity in our football, it's time to overhaul our entire sports framework.

Ultimately, the NSC management have no option than to address the crass ineptitude of officials of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) led by Habu Gumel.

Check out Gumel's stats:

* Became NOC president - 2001/2002

* Served 2001/2002 - 2010

* Returned 2014

* Re-elected 2018 and 2022

* Current tenure: 2022 - 2026

What it means is that Gumel has been calling the shots at NOC for 21 years as if the organisation is his personal property.

The all-important question remains: What impact has Gumel's leadership made on Nigeria's sports and the country's Olympic exploits, for that matter?

Over the years, Nigeria have wobbled and fumbled in successive Olympic Games, having nothing to show for the billions of naira in tax payers' funds.

Nigeria's athletes have complained all to no avail. They are fed up with the nepotism and lack of leadership skills in the rank and file of Humel's NOC.

A breath of fresh air is hovering around our football. Same should apply on our sports, the NOC in particular.

Gusau: Resignation Isn't Enough, Where's N17 B  FG Grant?

I received the news of the resignation of the erstwhile Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, and his board, as well as  Nigeria football's greatest despot, Muhammed Sanusi (ex-NFF Secretary), with a pinch of salt.

In other climes, corruption in politics is 'acceptable'. Nepotism in market squares is 'pardonable'.

Even in churches, where custodians of morality and uprightness have been indicted for hundreds of thousands of cases of sexual and financial  recklessness, somehow, they're spared grave consequences.

But in football circles, you dare not play games if you find yourself saddled with the responsibility of administering football in 'volatile' countries like England, Italy, Germany,  France, even Egypt.

That Nigerians are celebrating Gusau for throwing in the towel with his entire NFF board is simply laughable.

That Nigeria's football stakeholders are not calling on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and prosecute the Zamfara State-born football administrator is simply sardonic.

That nobody is bold enough to ask the poignant question, "Where's the 17 billion naira grant the Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu released to Gusau's NFF for the settlement of salaries, allowances and debts owed hotels, players, coaches and match officials?"

Why is nobody questioning Amaju Pinnick's imposition of himself on Nigeria's football?

Why is the Warri wolf still hanging around the corridors of Nigeria's football as if his umbilical cord is tied therein?

Few days ago when the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, went on a very expensive wild goose chase to Switzerland (with five other football  'entertainers') I sighted Pinnick in their entourage. 

That Pinnick, who - at the height of his corrosive reign as NFF President - signed a contract of 500,000 dollars (a year) with American kit sponsors, Nike, is still boldly throwing his weight around Nigeria's football calls for alarm.

You ask yourself, why is this guy unashamedly showing his face in public?  Why is he so audacious and loud?  Why is he so insensitive and unrepentant - after the blatant devastation he brought on Nigeria's football?

THIS TYPE OF REFORM CAN'T SAVE NIGERIA'S FOOTBALL

From all indications, President Tinubu dangled the big axe that arm-twisted Gusau and his NFF 'board of jesters' into abandoning their dollar-spinning business of running Nigeria's football.

It was either they resigned en masse, or they enjoyed their massive loot in prison.

Does that bring succour to Nigeria's football? The answer is a capital NO.

If the NSC chairman, Dikko, could be hosting State FA chairmen, it means  the hand of the monkey is still hovering around the pot of soup.

If a grossly incompetent and  corruption-personified NFF life president is still part of a merry-go-round Nigeria's contingent to embattled FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, what type of reform are we even talking about?

If the 17 billion naira federal government grant is not investigated, and Gusau and his avaricious gang made to face the full weight of the law, how would incoming NFF custodians learn any lesson?

REFORM SHOULD BE THOROUGH: GUMEL MUST GO!

 If it took Nigeria decades to wake from a very deep and devastating slumber to tackle the impunity in our football, it's time to overhaul our entire sports framework.  Ultimately, the NSC management have no option than to address the crass ineptitude of officials of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) led by Habu Gumel.  Check out Gumel's status:

* Became NOC President - 2001/2002

* Served 2001/2002 - 2010

* Returned 2014

* Re-elected 2018 and 2022

* Current tenure: 2022 - 2026

What it means is that Gumel has been calling the shots at NOC for 21 years as if the organisation is his personal property.

The all-important question remains: What impact has Gumel's leadership made on Nigeria's sports and the country's Olympic exploits, for that matter?

Over the years, Nigeria have wobbled and fumbled in successive Olympic Games, having nothing to show for the billions of naira in tax payers' funds.   Nigeria's athletes have complained all to no avail. They are fed up with the nepotism and lack of leadership skills in the rank and file of Humel's NOC.

A breath of fresh air is hovering around our football. Same should apply on our sports, the NOC in particular.

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted September 2, 2026

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