The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are investigating the utilisation of the N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle outstanding players’ wages, bonuses and other national-team obligations.
The development was disclosed in a letter signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the General Secretary of the NFF, in response to a request for the disclosure of financial records and utilisation logs relating to the fund.
In the letter, referenced NFF/LEG/10/1/879, the NFF said it could not release the requested documents because the matter was already under investigation by the two anti-corruption agencies.
“It is my instruction to inform you that the subject matter of the request under the Freedom of Information Act is the subject of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),” the letter stated.
The federation further disclosed that “all documents relating to the request are before” the EFCC and ICPC.
However, the NFF did not provide details of the specific transactions or activities being investigated. It also did not disclose when the investigations commenced or whether any of its officials had been questioned by the agencies.
The probe comes amid increasing scrutiny of the administration and financing of Nigerian football, particularly following the disappointing performances of the national teams and growing calls for reforms within the NFF.
The N12 billion intervention fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024 to clear outstanding financial obligations to Nigeria’s national teams. The funds were expected to cover up to 15 months of unpaid salaries owed to Super Eagles coaches, players’ allowances and other outstanding payments to the senior men’s and women’s teams, as well as the Under-20 national team.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Sports has summoned officials of the NFF and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for an emergency meeting over Nigeria’s declining football fortunes.
The development is expected to further intensify calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of funds allocated to Nigerian football.