Both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are after the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
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A whopping sum of ₦12 billion is at stake. Apart from that, the growing curiosity to understand why Nigeria failed to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup is also a factor which make the matter all the more interesting. The Super Falcons, too, failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
It’s not clear when the issue took life of its own, but so far a lot of Freedom of Information requests have been flying into NFF office, with Nigerians seeking the seeking the financial records and utilisation logs relating to the ₦12 billion intervention fund.
In January 2024 President Bola Tinubu approved ₦12 billion meant to sort out a lot of financial mess in NFF. Before then senior men’s and women’s teams and the Under-20 side are owe their allowances while the Super Eagles coaches had not been paid their salaries for 15 months. The intervention fund was meant to sort these and other numerous financial obligations bedevilling NFF.
But it appears the money was not properly utilised, which prompted the intense interest.
In a letter dated August 18 and signed by Onoja Joshua on behalf of the NFF General Secretary, the federation explained it could heed the calls to release the documents Nigerians seek as the matter is already with anti-graft agencies.
In a similar development, the Senate Committee on Sports has summoned NFF and National Sports Commission with aim to understanding the reasons behind Nigeria’s shameful football fortune.