The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have launched investigations into the utilisation of the N12 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The disclosure was made by the NFF in a letter dated August 18, 2026, following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking details of how the funds were spent, including relevant financial records and utilisation documents.
In the letter, referenced NFF/LEG/10/1/879 and signed by Onoja Joshua on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, the federation explained that it could not provide the requested information because the matter is currently under investigation by the two anti-corruption agencies.
The NFF stated that the subject of the FOI request “is the subject of investigations” by both the EFCC and ICPC, adding that all documents connected to the request were already in the possession of the agencies.
The federation, however, did not provide details of the transactions or activities that prompted the investigations. It also did not disclose when the probes commenced or whether any NFF officials had been invited or questioned by investigators.
The N12 billion intervention package was approved by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024 to enable the government to settle outstanding financial obligations owed to Nigeria’s national teams. The liabilities reportedly included 15 months of unpaid salaries for Super Eagles coaches, players’ allowances, bonuses and other commitments involving the senior men’s and women’s teams as well as the Under-20 side.
The latest development is likely to intensify scrutiny of the NFF’s financial management and administration of Nigerian football, particularly amid growing concerns over the recent performance of the country’s national teams.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has further increased pressure on football administrators, while concerns have also been raised over the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Against this backdrop, the Senate Committee on Sports has summoned officials of the NFF and the National Sports Commission for an emergency meeting to address what it described as the country’s declining football fortunes.
Committee chairman, Senator Abdul Ningi, said the Senate was particularly concerned about the setbacks suffered by Nigeria’s national teams and the need to find lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the country’s football administration.
The EFCC and ICPC investigations could now provide further scrutiny of the management of the N12 billion intervention fund and potentially shed light on how the money was allocated and utilised.
However, the existence of an investigation does not, in itself, establish that the funds were misappropriated or that any individual committed an offence. Any such conclusions would depend on the findings of the investigating agencies.