Nigeria’s Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency have launched a joint investigation into allegations that senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation are collaborating with foreign interests to undermine national security.
An anonymous security source revealed that intelligence agencies intercepted concerning communications between the federation officials and foreign nationals, raising concerns over potential security risks.
The source clarified that the ongoing inquiry extends beyond financial management and the 17 billion naira intervention fund allocated for national team payments, noting that financial impropriety falls under the purview of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“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 explained.
“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,” the source added.
The intelligence investigation coincides with widespread public dissatisfaction over the management of Nigerian football following notable on-pitch setbacks. The Super Eagles missed back-to-back FIFA World Cups, while the Super Falcons failed to secure qualification 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 quarter-finals and subsequently lost 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the World Cup qualification playoff. The result marked the first time the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the tournament since its inception in 1991.
The executive committee led by Ibrahim Gusau is facing growing pressure as internal instability deepens. More than half of the committee members have either resigned or are considering stepping down, casting doubt on the upcoming board election scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
“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,” the source stated.
