The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, and his entire Executive Committee must honour Nigerians by stepping down immediately. The country deserves a chance to rebuild its football after the catastrophic failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

I know this will shock Gusau, a friend with whom I shared nearly 25 minutes of conversation on the eve of Nigeria’s home game against Benin in October, but let me be clear: this is not personal. Friendship aside, professional accountability must come first. Gusau, along with Felix Anyansi Agwu, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Yusuf Ahmed, Babagana Kalli, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Aisha Falode, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, Nse Essien, Margaret Icheen, Timothy Heman Magaji, H.E. Silas Agara, George Aluo, and Mohammed Sanusi, have overseen one of the most humiliating chapters in the history of Nigerian football.

It is time to act like men and women of honour.

Lessons from the Japanese Samurai

To understand the depth of the failure, consider the Japanese samurai. The samurai were a warrior class in feudal Japan who lived and died by a strict code of honour. When they failed, they sometimes chose Harakiri or Seppuku, ritual suicide by disembowelment to preserve their honour. While I am not suggesting literal self-harm, the lesson is clear: leaders are responsible for their failures, and their actions or inactions carry consequences.

Leadership is not just a title. In Nigeria, football is more than a game. It is a unifying force in a country often divided by politics, ethnicity, and religion. Football brings people together. It creates opportunities for young talents, coaches, sports journalists, and media professionals. And it drives billions of naira into the national economy.

The High Cost of Failure

By failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria lost $12.5 million (roughly N19 billion) in prize money alone. This figure includes $9 million for participation in the group stage and $1.5 million to support training and preparations.

But the loss does not stop there. The sports media industry, which includes content creators, sports journalists, and broadcasters, suffered an estimated $5 million (N7.5 billion) in lost advertising revenue. These are real dollars, lost opportunities, and real livelihoods affected, all because of administrative incompetence.

The magnitude of this failure is staggering. To put it bluntly, this is not just about missing a tournament; this is about letting Nigeria down economically, socially, and emotionally.

International Precedents: Others Have Resigned After Failure

Globally, football leaders step down after national embarrassment. In 2017, Carlo Tavecchio, President of the Italian Football Federation, resigned immediately after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup following a play-off defeat by Sweden. His resignation came amid widespread political pressure and national humiliation.

In Africa, failure has consequences too. In 2021, Charafeddine Amara, President of the Algerian Football Federation, and his entire board resigned after Algeria failed to reach the 2022 World Cup following a play-off defeat by Cameroon.

Even in Kuwait, the entire FA board resigned over a World Cup qualifier fiasco in 2024, although the team had not failed to qualify. This proves that football leaders worldwide, regardless of nationality or culture, take accountability seriously.

Nigeria is no exception. Gusau and his team have overseen failure after failure. The country cannot wait while the NFF clings to its positions. Nigerians deserve football administrators who can take responsibility and act with honour.

Apologies Are Not Enough

Recently, the NFF posted an apology on X (formerly Twitter). To call it laughable would be an understatement. It was insulting to the sensibilities of Nigerians. Words alone do not compensate for failure. Nigerians do not need excuses or empty gestures; they need action. The time for apologies is over.

Why Resignation is the Only Option

Resignation is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of accountability and respect for the nation. Leaders who refuse to resign after repeated failures damage not only their reputation but the institution they represent. In this case, the NFF’s credibility, the players’ morale, and Nigeria’s international football standing have all been compromised.

Consider the broader implications: Sponsorship deals shrink, and national pride suffers. Football in Nigeria is a multi-billion-naira ecosystem, and leadership failure reverberates across every level, from grassroots academies to top-flight clubs.

The lesson is simple: those in charge must step aside so others can rebuild, restore faith, and ensure Nigeria is not humiliated on the global stage again.

Ibrahim Gusau take note

Ibrahim Gusau, my friend, this is your moment to demonstrate honour. Others have done it, and the world respects leaders who take responsibility. Nigerians are watching. Your tenure has ended in failure, and it is time to leave. Allow Nigerian football to heal and thrive without the shadow of incompetence looming over it.

Step down. Let your Executive Committee step down. Nigerians deserve better.

The Bottom Line

Football is more than a game. It is pride, identity, and economy. Failure to qualify for the World Cup costs billions, crushes dreams, and exposes administrative incompetence. Apologies are not enough. Words are not enough. Action is required.

Dear Gusau, dear NFF Executive Committee: Nigerians may have moved on, but i am asking you. In fact, I am telling you today.  Act like men and women of honour. Step aside. Go now.