NFF Under DSS, NIA Investigation Over Alleged National Security Threat

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has come under an intelligence investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) over allegations that some of its top officials may be collaborating with foreign interests against Nigeria’s national security.

A security source said the two agencies intercepted communications involving the officials and foreign nationals which allegedly raised serious security concerns.

The source stressed that the investigation went beyond questions surrounding the N17 billion intervention fund approved for the NFF, noting that issues involving financial misconduct are the responsibility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The source said: “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.”

According to the source, the joint involvement of the DSS and NIA indicates that the allegations being investigated are considered more serious than ordinary financial matters.

“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.

The development comes amid increasing scrutiny of the NFF by football fans, who have expressed concerns over the alleged neglect of national teams and funding challenges.

Nigeria has suffered setbacks in international football, including missing consecutive FIFA World Cups and failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil for the first time in the history of the competition.

The Super Falcons’ hopes of automatic qualification were affected after they suffered a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), ending their title defence.

The Nigerian team was subsequently required to go through a World Cup qualification playoff involving South Africa.

Banyana Banyana of South Africa eventually defeated the Super Falcons 2-1 in the playoff, ending Nigeria’s uninterrupted record of qualifying for every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament was launched in 1991.

Meanwhile, the NFF executive committee headed by Ibrahim Gusau is facing mounting pressure to resign amid alleged failures and the departure of more than half of its members.

An insider suggested that the reported resignations could be connected to concerns over the 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 insider said.

The investigation and reported resignations have also raised questions about the possibility of the NFF board election going ahead as scheduled on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

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