EFCC, ICPC Probe NFF Over N12bn FG Football Fund

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission have opened investigations into the use of N12 billion released by the Federal Government to settle outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national football teams.

The money was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 as an intervention to address unpaid salaries, allowances, bonuses and other financial obligations involving the country’s national teams.

The investigation has already led to the invitation of some officials connected with the management of the funds. A source familiar with the matter said some of those invited had appeared before investigators and provided statements.

The officials are currently on administrative bail while the investigation continues, according to the source.

The development became public after the Nigeria Football Federation responded to a Freedom of Information request seeking details of how the N12 billion intervention fund was received and spent.

The request, submitted by the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke, sought financial records, utilisation details and other documents relating to the Federal Government’s intervention.

In its response dated August 18, 2026, the NFF said it could not provide the requested documents because the matter was already being investigated by the EFCC and ICPC.

The federation stated that the financial records and other documents connected to the request were currently with the two anti-corruption agencies.

The N12 billion intervention was approved by the Federal Government before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast. The funds were intended to clear outstanding financial obligations involving the Super Eagles and other national teams.

The payment covered several categories of outstanding obligations, including salaries owed to coaches of the senior men’s national team for several months, as well as allowances and other payments due to the senior men’s and women’s teams and the under-20 national side.

Despite the intervention, complaints over unpaid allowances and bonuses have continued to emerge from Nigerian players and teams.

In November 2025, members of the Super Eagles refused to train in Morocco ahead of their 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon, citing unpaid allowances dating back several years.

The players reportedly complained about outstanding payments connected to their performances at international competitions and the team’s qualification for the World Cup play-offs.

The Flying Eagles also raised similar concerns in April 2026, with some members of the 2023 and 2025 squads claiming that the NFF owed them about N1.5 billion.

The alleged debt reportedly included qualification bonuses linked to six major tournaments as well as allowances for extended training camps.

The latest investigation comes at a difficult period for Nigerian football, with growing criticism of the administration of the NFF and the performance of the country’s national teams.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons also missed out on qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau is seeking another term in office at the federation’s scheduled elective congress on September 27, 2026.

Gusau was first elected president of the federation in September 2022 at an elective congress held in Benin City.

His administration has faced increasing criticism over the management of Nigerian football, including issues surrounding players’ payments and the performance of the national teams.

There have also been claims of plans by the National Sports Commission to halt the planned NFF election and establish a normalisation committee to oversee the affairs of Nigerian football. The NFF board has denied such a move.

As of the time of the report, the EFCC and ICPC had not publicly provided details of the specific allegations under investigation or disclosed the identities of the officials who had been invited.

The investigation is expected to determine how the N12 billion intervention was received, managed and distributed, as well as whether any financial irregularities occurred in the handling of the funds.