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 be working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security, according to a security source….
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 be working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security, according to a security source.
The source, who disclosed this on Tuesday, said the two intelligence agencies had intercepted what was described as “highly disturbing” communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals.
The source said the alleged communications were considered capable of creating security challenges for the country, adding that the investigation went beyond allegations of financial impropriety.
Asked whether the probe was connected to the N17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024 to help the NFF settle outstanding payments owed to the country’s national teams, the source said such matters fell within the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“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 said.
The source explained that the DSS is primarily concerned with domestic threats to national security, while the NIA handles external intelligence matters.
“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 added.
The development comes amid growing criticism of the NFF over the performance and funding of Nigeria’s national football teams.
The Super Eagles have missed consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, while the Super Falcons recently suffered a historic setback after failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Falcons’ qualification hopes were dealt a blow after they lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), ending their title defence and forcing Nigeria into a playoff route.
Nigeria subsequently lost 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the World Cup qualification playoff.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s record of appearing at every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the women’s tournament began in 1991.
The NFF executive committee, led by its president, Ibrahim Gusau, is now under mounting pressure amid calls for the board to resign over what critics describe as a series of failures.
The pressure has been compounded by the resignation, or reported plans to resign, of more than half of the executive committee members.
The source suggested that the reported resignations could be linked to concerns surrounding the ongoing 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 allegations could not be independently verified as of press time, and the intelligence agencies had not publicly confirmed the reported investigation.
