Developing: EFCC, ICPC summon NFF officials over N12bn FG fund
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission have commenced investigations into the utilisation of the N12bn Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation for players’ wages, allowances and bonuses.
The fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams and their coaches.
A source familiar with the matter told The PUNCH on Thursday that some officials connected to the fund had been invited by the anti-corruption agencies and had 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 investigation was also referenced in a letter signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, in response to a request for the disclosure of financial records and utilisation documents relating to the fund.
The letter, dated August 18, 2026, was addressed to the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke, following correspondence dated August 7, 2026, which was received by the NFF on August 11.
A copy of the NFF’s response was published by SaharaReporters on Thursday.
The request, made under the Freedom of Information Act, sought access to financial records and other documents concerning the N12bn intervention fund reportedly released to the NFF for players’ wages and bonuses.
However, the NFF declined to release the requested documents, citing ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC.
“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.”
In January 2024, ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, President Tinubu approved the payment of outstanding funds owed by the Federal Government to the Super Eagles and other national teams.
According to a statement from the President’s media office at the time, the payment covered 15 months of outstanding salaries owed to coaches of the senior national team, as well as allowances and other payments due to the senior men’s, women’s and U-20 national teams.
“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 said.
“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.”
The development comes amid continued concerns over outstanding financial obligations to players and officials of Nigeria’s national teams.
In November 2025, the Super Eagles boycotted a training session in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of a crucial 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon, citing unpaid allowances dating back to 2019.
In April 2026, The PUNCH reported that some members of the 2023 and 2025 Flying Eagles teams also alleged that the NFF owed them N1.5bn in qualification bonuses and other allowances connected to six major tournaments.
The latest investigation also comes amid growing concerns over the administration of Nigerian football, following the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, who was elected at the federation’s elective congress in Benin City in September 2022, is seeking a second term at the planned September 27 elective congress amid criticism of his administration.
Although the NFF board has denied the claim, there have been reports that the National Sports Commission is seeking to halt the election and install a normalisation committee to oversee Nigerian football.
The spokespersons for the ICPC and EFCC, John Odey and Dele Oyewale, respectively, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.