The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are investigating 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.
This was contained in a letter signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the General Secretary of the NFF, in response to a request for the disclosure of financial records and utilisation logs relating to the fund.
In the letter reference number NFF/LEG/10/1/879, signed by Onoja Joshua on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, the federation said it could not release the requested documents because the matter was already being investigated by the two anti-corruption agencies.
“It is my instruction to inform you that the subject matter of the request under the Freedom of Information Act is the subject of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),” the letter said.
The NFF added that “all documents relating to the request are before” the EFCC and ICPC.
The federation did not disclose what specific transactions or activities prompted the investigations, when the probes began, or whether any officials had been questioned.
The investigation comes amid mounting scrutiny of the administration and financing of Nigerian football, following the poor performances of the national teams and growing calls for reforms within the NFF.
The N12 billion intervention was approved by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024 to clear outstanding obligations to Nigeria’s national teams, including 15 months of salaries owed to Super Eagles coaches, players’ allowances and payments due to the senior men’s and women’s teams and the Under-20 side.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Sports has summoned officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and National Sports Commission (NSC) for an emergency meeting over the country’s declining football fortunes.
