Chikelue Iloenyosi, a former Nigeria international and current Chairman of Anambra Football Association, has penned a congratulatory message to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau,  on his emergence as the new President of the West African Football Union, WAFU, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Iloenyosi, a former U23 Olympic Eagles defender, said the development marks a significant milestone for Nigerian football. He expressed delight in seeing another Nigerian leader take the helm of one of Africa’s most prestigious football organizations.

Iloenyosi, who is fondly called 'General',  noted that the NFF President’s ascension to the WAFU Presidency is a testament to his dedication, leadership skills and commitment to the development of football in the West African region.

He expressed confidence that the President’s vision and expertise would greatly benefit football in West Africa and pledged the full support of the Anambra Football Association for him to succeed in his new role.

The ANSFA boss expressed optimism that under the NFF President’s leadership, WAFU would achieve greater things, adding that Nigerian football would also continue to thrive.

“The NFF President’s emergence as WAFU President is a great opportunity for Nigerian football to play a more prominent role in shaping the future of the sport in West Africa”, Iloenyosi began in his congratulatory message.

“This development will not only enhance the profile of Nigerian football but also provide a platform for the country to continue showcasing its footballing talent and leadership expertise on a larger stage”, he added in the message.

Iloenyosi wished the NFF President success in his new role while reaffirming the Anambra Football Association’s commitment and support to his efforts to develop and promote  football in West Africa.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau was on Monday, 19 May, 2025, elected as the President of WAFU Zone B.

Before his Monday's election, Gusau was the 1st Vice President of the West African sub-regional football body, following his election in November 2024, following the resignation of Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the President of the Ghana Football Association, who left the WAFU B number one seat following his election into the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football two months ago.

Alhaji Gusau, thus, becomes the fifth Nigerian to hold a top position in the West African subregional football body the founding President, Joseph Kwamina Tandoh, who at the time was a vice chairman of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA).

He is the father of Dr Kweku Tandoh, the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

Other Nigerians who had led WAFU are Jonathan Ogufere (1988-1994); Abdulmumini Aminu (1999-2002) and Amos Adamu (2008-2010).

Under Amos Adamu's tenure, the hitherto 16-nation body was divided into two – WAFU A and WAFU B.