Nigeria intelligence agencies probe NFF officials for alleged national sabotage

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) are conducting a joint investigation into top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Intelligence reports suggest that certain officials may be collaborating with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria's national security.

Security sources indicate that the DSS and NIA intercepted communications between NFF officials and foreign nationals that could pose security risks to the country. While President Bola Tinubu approved a N17 billion special intervention fund in 2024 to address outstanding payments for national teams, sources clarified that this investigation extends beyond financial impropriety, which remains the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The NFF has faced recent criticism regarding the management of football funding, following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for consecutive FIFA World Cups and the Super Falcons' inability to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.