The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have commenced investigations into the utilisation of a N12 billion Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for players’ wages and bonuses.
The investigation came to light after the NFF declined a Freedom of Information request seeking financial records and other documents detailing how the funds were managed and spent.
In a letter dated August 18, 2026, and signed on behalf of the NFF General Secretary by Onoja Joshua, the federation said the requested documents were currently with the EFCC and ICPC as part of an ongoing investigation.
The request was submitted by the law firm Cromwell & Okeke on August 7 and received by the NFF on August 11. The firm had sought access to financial statements, utilisation logs and other records relating to the N12 billion intervention fund reportedly provided by the Federal Government to settle outstanding players’ wages and bonuses.
In its response, the NFF explained that it could not release the documents because the matter was already being investigated by the two anti-corruption agencies.
The federation stated that the subject of the Freedom of Information request was under investigation by both the EFCC and ICPC and that the relevant documents were no longer in its possession.
According to the NFF, all records connected to the management and utilisation of the intervention fund had been submitted to the anti-corruption agencies handling the investigation.
The development raises fresh questions about the management of the Federal Government’s intervention funds for Nigerian football, particularly the disbursement of money intended to settle players’ wages and bonuses.
The ongoing investigations by the EFCC and ICPC are expected to establish how the N12 billion was utilised and whether the funds were spent in line with the purpose for which they were released.
