EFCC, ICPC Probe NFF Over N12bn Federal Government Intervention Fund
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).
The fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding salaries, allowances and bonuses owed to Nigeria’s national teams and coaching staff.
According to a source familiar with the investigation, some officials connected to the handling of the funds have been invited by the anti-graft agencies and have provided statements.
“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 development emerged after the NFF responded to a Freedom of Information request seeking financial records and utilisation documents relating to the N12 billion intervention fund.
In a letter dated August 18, 2026, and signed by Onoja Joshua on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, the federation declined to release the requested documents, citing the ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC.
The letter stated that all documents relating to the request were already before the two anti-corruption agencies.
The Federal Government had announced in January 2024 that President Tinubu approved the payment of N12 billion in outstanding obligations to Nigeria’s national teams.
The payment was said to cover up to 15 months of outstanding salaries owed to senior national team coaches, as well as allowances and other financial obligations involving the Super Eagles, Super Falcons, U-20 teams and other national sporting teams.
However, complaints over unpaid allowances and bonuses have persisted despite the intervention.
In November 2025, the Super Eagles reportedly boycotted training in Rabat ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off against Gabon over outstanding allowances dating back to 2019.
Similarly, members of Nigeria’s U-20 teams later alleged that the NFF owed them about N1.5 billion in qualification bonuses and camp allowances.
The latest investigation comes amid renewed scrutiny of the administration of Nigerian football, following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to secure a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau is also seeking a second term at the federation’s planned September 27 elective congress.
The EFCC and ICPC had yet to publicly disclose the outcome of their investigation as of the time of filing this report.
