The Department of State Services, DSS, and the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, are reportedly investigating allegations that some senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, may have been working with foreign interests in ways considered capable of undermining Nigeria’s national security.
The development was disclosed by a security source who said the two intelligence agencies had intercepted what was described as “highly disturbing” communications between some NFF officials and foreign nationals.
According to the source, the communications were considered serious enough to warrant an investigation because of their potential implications for Nigeria’s security and national interests.
The source, however, did not publicly identify the NFF officials allegedly involved, the foreign nationals they were said to have communicated with or the specific actions being investigated.
The reported investigation comes amid an escalating crisis within Nigerian football, with the NFF leadership facing intense criticism over the performance of the country’s national teams and the administration of the federation.
The source also clarified that the intelligence investigation was not primarily connected to the ₦17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024 to enable the NFF to settle outstanding salaries, allowances and bonuses owed to national-team players and officials.
According to the source, allegations of financial impropriety involving the intervention fund fall within the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, rather than the DSS or NIA.
The source explained that the DSS is responsible for addressing domestic threats to national security, while the NIA handles external intelligence matters.
He said the joint involvement of both agencies indicated that the allegations being examined went beyond financial management and potentially involved broader national-security concerns.
The reported probe adds another layer to the mounting difficulties confronting the NFF under the leadership of its president, Ibrahim Gusau.
The federation has come under growing pressure following a series of setbacks involving Nigeria’s national teams.
The Super Eagles have missed consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, while the Super Falcons recently suffered a historic failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, ending their title defence and forcing them into the subsequent World Cup qualification playoff route.
Nigeria then suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the playoff, ending the country’s record of qualifying for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 1991.
The failure has triggered widespread criticism from football stakeholders and fans, with calls for accountability and changes within the NFF.
The federation’s executive committee is also facing internal uncertainty, with reports indicating that eight of its 13 members have either resigned or are considering their positions.
The reported resignations have raised questions over the stability of the NFF leadership and the possibility of holding the federation’s scheduled board election on September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
An insider cited in the reports suggested that concerns surrounding the intelligence investigation could be contributing to the uncertainty among members of the executive committee, although that claim has not been independently verified. citeturn0news2turn0news6
The reported DSS and NIA investigation therefore comes at a particularly sensitive time for the football federation, which is already dealing with questions over its administration, funding, player welfare and the performance of Nigeria’s national teams.
The NFF has not, in the reports reviewed, been publicly accused by either intelligence agency of committing any offence, and no specific official has been named as a suspect.
The allegations currently emanate from security sources and remain subject to investigation.
The distinction is significant because the reported communications and their alleged implications have not been publicly disclosed, while the agencies involved have not announced the investigation through an official statement.
The reported development could nevertheless have significant implications for the NFF if the investigation establishes evidence of activities that compromise national security or Nigeria’s interests.
It could also intensify calls for accountability within the federation ahead of its forthcoming electoral process.
For now, attention is focused on the outcome of the intelligence agencies’ investigation and whether any formal action will be taken against individuals within or connected to the NFF.
The reported probe also comes alongside the separate EFCC scrutiny surrounding the management of government funds allocated to the federation, further increasing pressure on the football body.
With the NFF already facing criticism over national-team failures and internal leadership challenges, the latest intelligence allegations have deepened the crisis surrounding Nigerian football and placed renewed focus on the conduct and accountability of those managing the federation.
