‘Fake News’ – NFF Dismisses 24Hours Ultimatum To Resign

A Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board member, Nse Essien, has denied claims that the Federal Government is asking the NFF leadership to resign.

“It’s a fake news”, Essien reportedly told Vanguard.

He insisted that there was no such directive from the Federal Government.

There were speculations in some quarters that the Ibrahim Gusau-led body was asked to step down within the next 24 hours.

Naija News reported earlier that the NFF is currently being investigated over the Federal Government’s ₦12 billion intervention fund released to the body to pay players’ wages and bonuses.

The investigation is being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

The investigation started after the NFF reportedly declined a request for access to documents detailing the management and expenditure of the funds, saying it had handed the records over to the two anti-corruption agencies.

Amid the development, among others, a directive was reportedly issued by the National Sports Commission (NSC), asking the NFF’s executive committee to step down.

The action, according to the report, is in response to significant concerns expressed by Nigerians regarding the management of football in the nation.

However, Essien has described it as all fake.

2026 WAFCON, World Cup Disqualification

Naija News reports that the NFF comes under criticism after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and their female counterparts, the Super Falcons, also failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

This marks the first time in history that the men’s and women’s teams will experience such a setback simultaneously.

It was reported earlier that the NSC visited the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Wednesday night to discuss the crisis affecting Nigerian football, with an additional meeting scheduled with the President’s Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for later hours.

The controversy comes ahead of the NFF elections scheduled for September 27, with Gusau seeking a second four-year term as president.