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) for players’ wages and bonuses.
The fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams.
Some officials linked to the matter have reportedly been invited by the anti-corruption agencies and have provided statements.
The officials were said to have been granted administrative bail after interrogation, while investigation continues.
The disclosure 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.
The letter, dated August 18, 2026, was addressed to the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke, following correspondence dated August 7, 2026, but received by the NFF on August 11.
A copy of the NFF’s response was published by SaharaReporters on Thursday.
According to the report, the request was made under the Freedom of Information Act and sought access to financial records and other documents concerning the N12bn Federal Government intervention fund reportedly released to the NFF for players’ wages and bonuses.
However, the NFF declined to release the requested records, citing ongoing investigations by the two anti-corruption agencies.
“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 November 2025, the Super Eagles boycotted training in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of a crucial 2026 World Cup play-offs against Gabon, citing outstanding allowances dating back to 2019 for achievements including reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the World Cup play-offs.
In April 2026, some members of the 2023 and 2025 sets of Nigeria’s men’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, also lamented that the NFF owed them N1.5bn, covering qualification bonuses for participating in six major tournaments within the period, as well as pre-tournament camp allowances covering about 65 days.
