World Cup failures: Bako demands resignation of Gusau, NFF Board 

*Urges overhaul of NFF Statues, Electoral Congress

Former Sokoto State Football Association Chairman and veteran broadcaster, Dr. Danladi Bako, has called for the immediate resignation of Ibrahim Gusau and the entire Executive Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), citing systemic incompetence, lack of accountability and repeated failures to qualify for major international tournaments.

In a strongly worded assessment of the current football administration, Bako noted at the weekend  that the board’s continued tenure following back-to-back failures to secure qualification for the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups is unacceptable. He contrasted the current administration’s record with historical precedents, noting that past military regimes would have dismissed the leadership for similar monumental failures.

Addressing the competitive decline of the national teams, the Kogunan Sokoto highlighted that the Super Eagles missed out on the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup despite Africa’s allocation increasing to 10 slots. He further noted that the Super Falcons suffered a quarter-final elimination against South Africa at the WAFCON in Morocco, failing to secure a spot at the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The erstwhile special adviser to a former Minister of Sports, Jim Nwobodo, also raised concerns over financial transparency, specifically questioning the utilization of the ₦12 billion released by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Côte d’Ivoire. He called for full financial audits of both the NFF and the Sports Commission to account for the funds.

On administrative reform, Bako criticized the current NFF Statutes and the composition of the Electoral Congress, arguing that voting rights should be restructured to prioritize Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs rather than politically appointed state association chairmen. He expressed regret that former international icons, including Segun Odegbami, Daniel Amokachi, and Nwankwo Kanu, remain sidelined from key administrative roles.

Dismissing threats of international sanctions, Bako argued that warnings of a FIFA ban over government intervention or structural reform are out dated and false.

He pointed out that other nations regularly tailor their statutes to fit domestic governance needs without FIFA interference. Recommending a path forward, Bako urged President Tinubu to intervene and direct the NFF leadership to step down, citing precedents in nations like Italy, where football federation boards resigned following failure to reach the World Cup.