Ex- NFF President Gusau loses WAFU top position as Burkina Faso’s Sawadogo takes over

Nigeria’s recent upheaval in football administration has extended beyond the country’s borders, with former Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, losing his position as President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B.

Gusau has been replaced by President of the Burkina Faso Football Federation, Colonel Major Oumarou Sawadogo, following his resignation as NFF president in August, 2026. Blueprint reports

Sawadogo’s elevation means Nigeria has lost its representation at the head of the sub-regional football body only days after Gusau stepped down from the leadership of Nigerian football.

The change marks another significant consequence of the crisis that has engulfed Nigerian football following the failure of the Super Eagles and Super Falcons to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup respectively.

Gusau resigned as NFF president on August 27, 2026 alongside General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the NFF Executive Committee, bringing an abrupt end to his four-year tenure before its scheduled expiration.

From NFF presidency to regional leadership

Gusau’s departure from WAFU B brings to an end a relatively short tenure at the head of the regional body.

The Zamfara-born administrator was elected NFF president in September 2022 and later became involved in WAFU B leadership, initially serving as first vice-president after the zone’s elective congress in November 2024.

At that election, Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku emerged as WAFU B president, while Gusau was elected first vice-president and Sawadogo became second vice-president. The WAFU B zone comprises Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Togo and Niger Republic.

Gusau eventually assumed the presidency of WAFU B in 2025 after Okraku was elected into the CAF Executive Committee and subsequently moved to focus on his continental responsibilities.

Upon taking charge, Gusau outlined an agenda centred on expanding youth competitions, strengthening grassroots football and developing a more aggressive commercial strategy to attract corporate support to the zone.

His tenure, however, has now been cut short following his resignation from the NFF.

Sawadogo takes charge

The new WAFU B president, Sawadogo, brings previous experience within the regional structure to the position.

The Burkina Faso FA president had served as WAFU B’s second vice-president before his latest elevation, putting him in a position to assume the regional leadership with an understanding of the organisation’s operations and programmes.

Sawadogo was elected president of the Burkina Faso Football Federation in August 2024, succeeding Lazare Banssé.

His immediate responsibility will include overseeing the administration of football across the seven member associations in the zone, as well as regional competitions, youth development and women’s football programmes.

His appointment is also expected to provide continuity within the regional body at a time when West African football is seeking greater cooperation among its member associations.

Nigeria loses regional influence

Gusau’s removal represents more than a change of personnel at WAFU B level.

For Nigeria, it means the country has lost an important leadership position within one of the continent’s most competitive football sub-regions.

Nigeria is traditionally one of the biggest football powers in WAFU B, alongside Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and has historically played an influential role in the development and administration of football in the region.

Gusau himself had described his elevation to the WAFU B presidency as an opportunity for Nigeria to make a positive impact on the zone, particularly through youth competitions and grassroots development.

That opportunity has now ended with his exit from both the NFF and the regional position.

The development also comes at a particularly difficult time for Nigerian football, with the country facing an institutional transition following the mass resignation of the NFF leadership.

Exit comes amid football crisis

Gusau’s resignation from the NFF followed mounting criticism over the performance of Nigeria’s national teams.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons also missed out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing a qualifying playoff to South Africa.

The women’s failure was particularly significant because Nigeria had qualified for all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and had never previously missed the tournament.

Gusau said his decision to resign was taken after consultations with family, friends and stakeholders and in what he described as the overriding interest of Nigerian football.

The former NFF president said his resignation was intended to create room for a comprehensive and orderly reform process to address what he described as longstanding institutional, governance and developmental challenges within Nigerian football.

FIFA subsequently accepted the resignations of Gusau, Sanusi and the other members of the NFF Executive Committee, according to the NFF. The federation also said discussions involving FIFA, CAF, the National Sports Commission and the Nigerian football administration were ongoing over a roadmap for reforms.

New chapter for WAFU B

With Sawadogo now in charge, WAFU B enters a new phase at a time when the zone is expected to strengthen its competitions and youth development programmes.

The regional body oversees football activities involving seven countries with significant football traditions and is responsible for competitions that serve as important pathways for young players and national teams.

Sawadogo’s previous involvement in the administration of WAFU B could help provide a smooth transition, while his position as head of the Burkina Faso federation gives him an understanding of the challenges facing member associations.

For Nigeria, however, the immediate concern will be rebuilding its influence within the regional structure while simultaneously addressing the domestic problems that led to the sweeping changes at the NFF.

The loss of the WAFU B presidency therefore adds another dimension to what has already been a turbulent period for Nigerian football.

Gusau came into both positions promising stronger development, greater youth opportunities and improved administration.

He leaves the regional presidency only months after assuming it, while Nigeria begins the search for a new football leadership capable of restoring confidence in the country’s national teams and rebuilding its standing within African football administration.

The NFF is expected to undergo its own leadership transition as the country works towards the next phase of its electoral and reform process.

For WAFU B, meanwhile, the baton has passed from Nigeria to Burkina Faso, with Sawadogo now tasked with steering the affairs of the zone and strengthening cooperation among its seven member associations.