EFCC, ICPC Probe ₦12bn Federal Government Intervention Fund Released to NFF
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Nigeria’s two anti-graft agencies are investigating how the Nigeria Football Federation used a ₦12bn FG intervention fund meant to clear players’ wages and bonuses, after the NFF cited the probe in declining an FOI request.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are investigating the utilisation of a ₦12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle outstanding players’ wages, allowances and bonuses.
The investigation became public after the NFF, in a letter dated August 18, 2026 (reference NFF/LEG/10/1/879, signed by Onoja Joshua on behalf of the General Secretary), declined a Freedom of Information request for the fund’s financial records and utilisation logs, stating that all relevant documents were already with the EFCC and ICPC.
The ₦12 billion was approved by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024 to clear obligations to the national teams, including up to 15 months of unpaid salaries owed to Super Eagles coaches, plus allowances for the men’s and women’s senior teams and the U-20 side. The probe comes amid intense scrutiny of Nigerian football following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the Senate Committee on Sports also summoning NFF and National Sports Commission officials. No wrongdoing has been established.
