The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are investigating the utilisation of a N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for players’ wages, bonuses and other outstanding obligations.
The development was disclosed in a letter issued by the NFF in response to a Freedom of Information request seeking financial records and utilisation details relating to the fund.
The letter, dated August 18, 2026, stated that the documents requested were already with the EFCC and ICPC as part of ongoing investigations into the matter.
The NFF said it was therefore unable to release the requested records, as the financial transactions covered by the request were under investigation by the two anti-corruption agencies.
The development has raised fresh questions about the management of public funds allocated to Nigerian football, particularly the utilisation of the N12 billion intervention fund.
Sources cited in the report said the NFF indicated that a significant portion of the money was spent on hotel accommodation expenses for players at different levels.
In January 2024, President Bola Tinubu had approved the release of N12 billion to clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams, including 15 months of coaches’ salaries, players’ allowances and other financial obligations involving the senior men’s, women’s and Under-20 teams.
However, the NFF has not disclosed the specific transactions or activities currently being examined by the EFCC and ICPC, while the agencies have yet to publicly detail the scope or findings of their investigations.
The probe comes amid growing concerns over the administration and financing of Nigerian football and follows recent reports of tensions between the Federal Government and the NFF leadership over the future administration of the federation.
