The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have launched investigations into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) management of the N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund designated for player salaries and bonuses.
President Bola Tinubu approved the financial intervention in 2024 to clear outstanding debts owed to coaches and players across Nigeria’s national football teams.
A senior source familiar with the matter revealed on Thursday that investigators have already summoned and taken statements from several officials connected to the case.
“They have been under our radar before now. We invited some officials over to our offices, and they gave their statements. Presently, they are on administrative bail. We have not ended our investigation,” the source said.
The disclosure was provided in a letter signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, following a request for financial records and utilization logs related to the fund.
Dated August 18, 2026, the letter was addressed to the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke in response to their initial inquiry dated August 7, 2026, which the NFF received on August 11.
A copy of the NFF’s response was published by SaharaReporters on Thursday.
The article stated that access to financial records and other documentation concerning the N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund—purportedly allocated to the NFF for players’ salaries and bonuses—was requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
Citing ongoing investigations by the two anti-graft agencies, the NFF declined to provide the requested information.
“I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and your correspondence dated 7th August, 2026 but received on 11th August, 2026,” the letter stated.
“It is my instruction to inform you that the subject matter of the request under the Freedom of Information Act is subject of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
“Therefore, all documents relating to the request are before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.”
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Backstory…
In January 2024, prior to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, it was reported that President Tinubu approved the release of funds by the Federal Government to clear outstanding debts owed to the Super Eagles and other national sports teams.
According to a statement posted on the official X account of Tinubu’s Media Center, the approved payment covered back allocations and outstanding entitlements for the senior men’s, women’s, and U-20 national teams, alongside 15 months of unpaid salaries for the senior national team’s technical crew.
“President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12bn outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others,” the statement read.
“The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coaches’ salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, women’s teams, and U-20 national team.”
Citing unpaid allowances from 2019 for accomplishments like making it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and making it to the World Cup play-offs, the Super Eagles skipped training in Rabat, Morocco, in November 2025 ahead of a pivotal 2026 World Cup play-offs versus Gabon.
The Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s men’s U-20 team for 2023 and 2025, reportedly complained to The PUNCH in April 2026 that the Nigeria Football Federation owed them N1.5 billion, which included pre-tournament camp allowances for roughly 65 days and qualification bonuses for competing in six major tournaments during that time.
Amidst mounting criticism of his administration, Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau—who was elected at the federation’s elective convention in Benin City in September 2022—is seeking a second term at the upcoming elective congress scheduled for September 27.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the National Sports Commission is moving to suspend the elections and institute a normalization committee to oversee Nigerian football, despite firm denials from the NFF board.
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