The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) are investigating intelligence reports alleging that some top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security.
A security source disclosed that the two intelligence agencies intercepted what he described as “highly disturbing” communications between the NFF officials and certain foreign nationals, which could have serious security implications for the country.
Asked whether the investigation was connected to the N17 billion intervention fund approved for the payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses owed to players and officials of Nigeria’s national teams, the source said the probe went beyond financial matters, stressing that allegations of financial impropriety fall under the purview of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“It is true that President Bola Tinubu in 2024 approved N17 billion as a special intervention fund to help NFF clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams. However, that falls within the purview of the EFCC, not the DSS and NIA,” the source said.
“The mandate of the DSS is on dealing with domestic threats to national security. The NIA deals with external threats. So, when you hear that the DSS and NIA are jointly investigating a matter, it has got to be very serious, especially when the persons involved are saddled with the responsibility of managing an important body like the NFF,” he stated.
However, the NFF has recently come under the scrutiny of many football fans who regretted that football teams have suffered neglect over funding, resulting in Super Eagles missing consecutive FIFA World Cups, and the historic failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals, which ended their title defense and missed automatic World Cup qualification, subsequently facing a playoff path involving South Africa.
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2–1 in the Women’s World Cup qualification playoff. Nigeria has played in every single FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991, making this the first time they failed to qualify.
The executive committee of the NFF headed by Ibrahim Gusau is under intense pressure to resign following the spate of alleged failures and also following the resignation of more than half of its members.
“That at least half of NFF executive have or are contemplating resignation, may not be unconnected with the fear of DSS and NIA probe, fuelling fears on the possibility of holding the NFF board election scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State,” declared the insider.