The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are investigating the utilisation of a N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle outstanding salaries, bonuses and other national-team obligations.
The development was disclosed in a letter signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, in response to a request for financial records and documents detailing how the fund was spent.
In the letter, referenced NFF/LEG/10/1/879, the federation explained that it could not release the requested documents because the matter is already under investigation by the EFCC and ICPC.
The NFF stated that “all documents relating to the request are before” the two anti-corruption agencies.
However, the federation did not disclose the specific transactions under investigation, when the probes commenced or whether any of its officials had been questioned.
The investigation comes amid increasing scrutiny of the administration and funding of Nigerian football, following the national teams’ disappointing performances and growing calls for reforms within the NFF.
The N12 billion intervention fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024 to settle outstanding obligations to the national teams. These included 15 months of unpaid salaries owed to Super Eagles coaches, players’ allowances and payments due to the senior men’s and women’s teams, as well as the Under-20 team.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Sports has summoned officials of the NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for an emergency meeting to address concerns over Nigeria’s declining football fortunes.
