NSC coy on EFCC probe into NFF finances

The National Sports Commission has distanced itself from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s investigation into alleged financial impropriety at the Nigeria Football Federation.

A top official of the NSC, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “I don’t know anything about any NFF issue with the EFCC.

“The issue is with the NFF not the NSC.”

The EFF had, in a letter dated November 28, 2024, and signed by Farouk Dogondaji on behalf of the commission’s chairman, requested details of NFF’s financial dealings from the sports commission.

The anti-graft agency sought information about sponsorship deals, tournament funds, and FIFA/CAF grants received by the football federation since 2022.

Chairman, Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Task Force, Harrison Jalla, who had earlier called for an investigation into NFF’s finances, told The PUNCH he learned about the probe through media reports.

“I’m not sure how that happened yet, myself. I saw it through the media as well and I don’t have the facts.

“A lot of people called me once they saw the news. I don’t know who is behind that,” Jalla said.

In July, Jalla had demanded accountability for $21.1m FIFA grants received by the NFF between 2014 and 2024, including $8.6m from the 2014 World Cup, $10m from the 2018 World Cup, and a $2.5m FIFA Assisted Programme grant.

The NSC, through a statement by the director general’s media aide, Micheal Obasi, described reports linking it to the probe as “malicious” and “an extreme case of distorted sensationalism.”

“Setting the record very straight, it is important to state that the EFCC only asked the commission to furnish it with relevant documents concerning the Nigeria Football Federation,” the statement read.

The EFCC’s investigation covers several areas, including funds received for major tournaments, FIFA’s grant for the Super Falcons’ 2023 World Cup campaign, and CAF’s allocation for the 2023 AFCON.

Jalla had previously alleged that despite receiving substantial grants, the NFF accumulated “huge debts, outstanding hotel bills and outstanding match bonuses to Super Eagles players, the Falcons, and all strata of the national teams and coaches.”

The retired footballer also criticised the federation’s management of technical development, arguing that “a fraction of the grants from FIFA and CAF from 2014 to 2024 is more than sufficient to establish a robust and commercially viable technical department.”

The EFCC’s request for information was made pursuant to Section 38 (1) and (2) of the EFCC establishment Act, 2004.