The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have commenced an investigation into allegations involving some senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and alleged links with foreign interests.
The development was reported by Channels Television on Tuesday, August 25, with a news slide stating: “DSS, NIA probe NFF over alleged sabotage of national interests.”
The development follows an earlier report by Vanguard that the two intelligence agencies were preparing to investigate intelligence reports concerning certain NFF officials. The latest reports now describe the matter as an ongoing investigation. TVC News and The Guardian have similarly reported that the DSS and NIA are investigating the allegations.
The DSS and NIA have commenced a probe into allegations involving senior NFF officials and alleged links with foreign interests. Image Source: Channels TV
According to a security source cited in the earlier report, the agencies intercepted communications allegedly involving some NFF officials and foreign nationals, with the exchanges said to have raised concerns over possible threats to Nigeria’s national security.
The identities of the officials and foreign nationals allegedly involved have not been made public, while details of the communications said to have been intercepted have also not been disclosed.
Probe reportedly goes beyond N17bn intervention fund
The investigation is reportedly separate from questions surrounding the N17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to help the NFF clear outstanding salaries, allowances and bonuses owed to members of Nigeria’s national teams.
A security source cited by Vanguard said financial impropriety involving the fund would fall under the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), rather than the DSS or NIA.
The source explained that the DSS deals primarily with domestic threats to national security, while the NIA handles external intelligence matters, making the reported joint involvement of both agencies particularly significant.
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The intelligence probe comes at a difficult time for the football federation, which has faced increasing criticism over the administration and funding of Nigeria’s national teams.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons recently suffered another major setback after losing 2-1 to South Africa in a Women’s World Cup qualification playoff, ending Nigeria’s historic run of appearances at every edition of the tournament since 1991.
The NFF executive committee, led by President Ibrahim Gusau, is also facing pressure amid reports of resignations and calls for changes within the federation.
The development has raised questions over the NFF’s scheduled elective congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on September 27, particularly amid reports that several members of the executive committee have resigned or are considering their positions.
The Guardian reported that eight of the 13 board members had reportedly resigned or were considering their positions, although the connection between those developments and the intelligence probe has not been independently established.
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At the moment, the central issue remains the reported intelligence investigation into alleged dealings between some NFF officials and foreign interests.
Neither the identities of the officials allegedly under investigation nor the specific nature of the communications have been publicly disclosed, and the allegations remain unproven.
