DSS Probes NFF Over N17bn Players’ Wages, Bonuses

The Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced an investigation into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the utilisation of a N17 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government to settle outstanding wages and bonuses owed to players of Nigeria’s national teams.

The fund was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024 as part of efforts to clear accumulated financial obligations to members of the national teams.

A source familiar with the development told Vanguard that the DSS had begun examining documents and financial records relating to the disbursement and utilisation of the funds by the NFF.

“It is a normal thing for the DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released to them,” the source said, dismissing concerns that the investigation was intended as a witch-hunt.

The probe comes amid growing concerns over the administration and performance of Nigeria’s national football teams, following a series of setbacks in international competitions.

The Super Eagles have failed to qualify for successive FIFA World Cup tournaments, while the Super Falcons recently suffered a historic setback in their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Falcons’ World Cup qualification campaign suffered a major blow after their 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The defeat ended Nigeria’s title defence and forced the team into the subsequent qualification playoff route.

Nigeria eventually lost 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the playoff, ending the country’s unprecedented record of qualifying for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the women’s tournament began in 1991.

The latest developments have also intensified pressure on the NFF executive committee led by Ibrahim Gusau, with calls mounting for the federation’s leadership to resign over the string of poor results and administrative challenges.

Reports also indicate that eight of the 13 members of the NFF board have resigned from their positions. The development could have implications for the federation’s planned elective congress and the September 27 elections scheduled to hold in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The DSS investigation is expected to establish how the Federal Government intervention funds were disbursed and utilised and whether they were applied for the purposes for which they were approved.