DSS and NIA Investigate NFF Over Foreign Links

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are conducting an investigation into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) due to intercepted communications deemed "highly disturbing" between NFF officials and foreign nationals. A security source indicated that these communications raised concerns about potential security challenges for Nigeria.

The investigation is not linked to the N17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024, which aims to assist the NFF in settling outstanding payments owed to Nigeria's national teams. Financial impropriety issues would fall under the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), not the DSS and NIA.

The source emphasized the seriousness of the investigation, given the NFF's critical role in managing Nigerian football. The probe coincides with increasing criticism of the NFF regarding the state of Nigerian football, particularly after the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments and the Super Falcons' recent setbacks in their World Cup qualification efforts.