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EFCC and ICPC have commenced investigations into the utilisation of the N12 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding salaries, allowances and bonuses owed to Nigeria’s national teams.
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Some officials linked to the management of the fund have been invited by investigators and have reportedly provided statements.
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The investigation comes despite the Federal Government’s 2024 intervention, amid fresh complaints over unpaid allowances and bonuses involving national teams.
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The investigation became public after the NFF declined a Freedom of Information request seeking records on the disbursement and utilisation of the N12 billion.
August 21, (THEWILL) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have launched investigations into the utilisation of the N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the payment of outstanding wages, allowances and bonuses owed to Nigeria’s national teams.
The development puts the management of one of the Federal Government’s major interventions in Nigerian football under scrutiny, particularly against the backdrop of repeated complaints by national team players and coaches over unpaid entitlements.
A top source familiar with the matter confirmed on Thursday that some officials linked to the management of the fund had been invited by investigators 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 disclosed after the NFF responded to a request seeking access to financial records and utilisation logs relating to the N12 billion intervention fund.
The letter, dated August 18, 2026, was signed by Onoja Joshua, Esq., on behalf of the General Secretary of the NFF and addressed to the Principal Partner of Cromwell & Okeke.
The correspondence followed a request dated August 7, 2026, which was received by the federation on August 11.
The request was made under the Freedom of Information Act and sought financial records and other documents concerning the N12 billion Federal Government intervention reportedly released to the NFF for players’ wages, allowances and bonuses.
However, the federation declined to release the requested records, citing the ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC.
In its response, the NFF stated that the subject matter of the FOI request was already before the two anti-corruption agencies and that the relevant documents were in their custody.
The letter stated in part: “It is my instruction to inform you that the subject matter of the request under the Freedom of Information Act is subject to 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.”
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How The N12bn Intervention Came About
The N12 billion intervention was approved by President Bola Tinubu in January 2024, ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, following longstanding complaints over unpaid obligations to Nigeria’s national teams and their coaches.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Media Centre at the time, the intervention was designed to clear a backlog of payments owed to various national teams.
The statement said the funds covered up to 15 months of outstanding salaries owed to coaches of the senior national team, as well as allowances and other financial commitments due to the senior men’s and women’s teams and the U-20 national team.
“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.
It added that the payment involved clearing senior national team coaches’ salaries running up to 15 months, as well as allowances and other commitments due to the senior national teams, women’s teams and the U-20 national team.
The intervention was expected to ease years of financial difficulties that had repeatedly disrupted preparations for international competitions and triggered protests by national team players.
However, complaints over unpaid entitlements have continued despite the intervention.
In November 2025, the Super Eagles reportedly boycotted a training session in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon over outstanding allowances.
The players cited unpaid allowances dating back to 2019, including entitlements connected with achievements such as qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup play-offs.
THEWILL also recalls that members of Nigeria’s 2023 and 2025 U-20 teams, the Flying Eagles, demanded about N1.5 billion allegedly owed by the NFF in April 2026.
The claims reportedly covered qualification bonuses for participation in six major tournaments and pre-tournament camp allowances spanning about 65 days.
The continued complaints have raised questions over the administration of football finances and the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s intervention in clearing outstanding obligations to national teams.
The latest probe also comes at a difficult period for Nigerian football, following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The investigation is expected to establish how the N12 billion was received, disbursed and utilised, as well as determine whether any financial irregularities occurred in the management of the intervention.
The development could further intensify scrutiny of the NFF’s administration at a time when concerns over the federation’s finances, national team performances and management of players’ entitlements remain subjects of public debate.
The EFCC and ICPC, have not issued any statement on the development.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
