EFCC and ICPC Investigating N12bn FG Fund Released to NFF
By Victor Idajili
The EFCC and the ICPC are probing how the N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund given to the Nigeria Football Federation was spent.
The fund was released to settle outstanding salaries, bonuses and other obligations for Nigeria’s national teams.
This was disclosed by the NFF in a letter dated August 18, 2026, responding to a Freedom of Information request asking for financial records and how the money was used.
In the letter with reference NFF/LEG/10/1/879, signed by Onoja Joshua on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, the federation said it could not release the documents because the matter is already under investigation.
“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 and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission,” the letter stated.
The NFF added that “all documents relating to the request are before” the EFCC and ICPC.
The federation did not say what exactly triggered the probe, when it started, or whether any officials have been questioned.
The investigation comes as pressure mounts on the NFF over poor performances by national teams and renewed calls for reform in football administration.
President Bola Tinubu approved the N12 billion intervention in January 2024 to clear debts owed to the Super Eagles, Super Falcons, and the U-20 team. The money was meant to cover 15 months of salaries owed to Super Eagles coaches, players’ allowances, and other unpaid entitlements.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Sports has called an emergency meeting with NFF and National Sports Commission officials over Nigeria’s declining football fortunes.
Committee Chairman, Senator Abdul Ningi, said the Senate is worried about the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
