EFCC, ICPC Probe N12bn NFF Intervention Fund Amid Mounting Football Crisis

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have commenced investigations into 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 by the NFF in a letter dated August 18, 2026, responding to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking financial records and documents detailing the utilisation of the fund.

The letter, referenced NFF/LEG/10/1/879 and signed by Onoja Joshua on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, was addressed to the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke. The federation said it received the firm’s FOI request, dated August 7, on August 11.

The request sought access to financial records and other documents relating to the disbursement and expenditure of the N12 billion intervention fund.

However, the NFF declined to release the requested documents, citing ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC.

The federation said the records could not be disclosed while the matter remained under investigation by the two anti-corruption agencies.

How the N12bn Was Approved

The Federal Government approved the N12 billion intervention in January 2024 to address outstanding financial obligations owed to Nigeria’s national teams and their coaches.

At the time, a statement published by President Bola Tinubu’s Media Centre said the intervention covered up to 15 months of unpaid salaries owed to senior national-team coaches, as well as allowances and other outstanding payments to the senior men’s and women’s teams and the U-20 national team.

The release was also intended to address longstanding financial obligations that had generated repeated complaints from players and coaches representing Nigeria.

Senate Steps Up Scrutiny

The investigation comes amid renewed scrutiny of the administration and financing of Nigerian football following a string of disappointing results by the country’s national teams.

The Senate Committee on Sports on Wednesday expressed concern over the state of Nigerian football, particularly the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The committee subsequently held an emergency meeting with the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi, who said it was convened following a directive from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Ningi said the Senate leadership was concerned about developments in the country’s sports sector and had demanded explanations over the declining fortunes of Nigerian football.

History of Unpaid Allowances

The latest investigation comes against the backdrop of repeated complaints by members of Nigeria’s national teams over unpaid allowances, bonuses and other entitlements.

In November 2025, the Super Eagles reportedly boycotted a training session in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon over outstanding allowances dating back to 2019.

The players reportedly cited unpaid entitlements connected to achievements including Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the World Cup play-offs.

In April 2026, members of the 2023 and 2025 editions of the Flying Eagles also reportedly complained that the NFF owed them about N1.5 billion.

The alleged debt reportedly covered qualification bonuses for six major tournaments, in addition to camp allowances accumulated over about 65 days.

Pressure Mounts on NFF Leadership

The financial investigation has further intensified scrutiny of the NFF leadership amid growing calls for reforms in the administration of Nigerian football.

The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was followed by the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, bringing an end to Nigeria’s record of appearing at every edition of the women’s tournament since its inception in 1991.

Gusau, who was elected NFF president at the federation’s elective congress in Benin City in September 2022, is seeking a second term at the planned September 27 elective congress.

The outcome of the EFCC and ICPC investigations could therefore add another layer of scrutiny to the NFF’s finances and administration as the federation approaches its forthcoming elections.

The investigations are expected to determine how the N12 billion intervention was disbursed and spent, and whether the funds were applied strictly to the purposes for which they were approved.