The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are investigating allegations that some senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may have been working with foreign interests in ways capable of undermining Nigeria’s national security.
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the intelligence agencies had intercepted what he described as ‘highly disturbing’ communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals.
According to the source, the alleged communications raised concerns over activities that could potentially create security challenges for the country.
The source clarified that the investigation was not primarily connected to the N17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to help the NFF settle outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams.
He said issues involving possible financial impropriety would fall under the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), rather than the DSS and NIA.
‘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 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 said.
The alleged probe comes amid growing criticism of the NFF over the state of Nigerian football, with fans and stakeholders expressing concerns over funding, administration and the performance of the country’s national teams.
The Super Eagles have missed consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, while the Super Falcons recently suffered a setback in their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), ending their title defence and denying them automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Nigeria subsequently entered the qualification playoff route but suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, missing out on the World Cup.
The failure marked a major setback for the Super Falcons, who had featured in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
Meanwhile, the NFF executive committee led by its president, Ibrahim Gusau, is under increasing pressure to resign amid the growing criticism and the reported resignation or planned resignation of more than half of its members.
The development has also raised concerns over the NFF election scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The security source suggested that the reported resignations may be connected to concerns surrounding the alleged DSS and NIA investigation.
‘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 said.
The NFF had not reacted to the allegation as of the time of filing this report.