The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission have commenced investigations into the utilisation of the N12bn Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation 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.
A top source familiar with the matter confirmed to our correspondent on Thursday that some officials linked to the matter 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 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 January 2024, before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, it was reported that President Tinubu had approved the payment of outstanding funds owed by the federal government to the Super Eagles and other national sporting teams.
According to a statement on the X handle of Tinubu’s Media Centre, the payment covered 15 months of outstanding salaries owed to the senior national team’s coaches, as well as allowances and other payments due to the senior men’s, women’s and U-20 national teams.
