The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are reportedly investigating some senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation over alleged dealings with foreign interests that could threaten Nigeria’s national security.
A security source said the agencies became concerned after allegedly intercepting communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals.
According to the source, the investigation goes beyond the controversy surrounding the N17bn intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to settle outstanding payments to Nigeria’s national teams.
“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 that the DSS is responsible for addressing internal security threats, while the NIA focuses on external intelligence, adding that the involvement of both agencies points to the seriousness of the matter.
“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 investigation comes as the NFF faces increasing criticism over the performance and funding of Nigeria’s national football teams.
The Super Eagles have failed to qualify for successive FIFA World Cups, while the Super Falcons recently suffered another major setback after missing out on automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The Falcons were eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon. They subsequently entered the World Cup playoff route but lost 2-1 to South Africa, ending Nigeria’s uninterrupted participation in every edition of the women’s World Cup since 1991.
Meanwhile, the NFF executive committee led by Ibrahim Gusau is under pressure, with several members reportedly resigning or considering their positions.
The situation has also raised questions over the September 27 NFF board election scheduled to take place 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,” declared the insider.