DSS probes NFF

The Department of State Services, DSS, has joined other security operatives in investigating the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) into the utilisation of the N17bn Federal Government intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation for players’ wages and bonuses.

The fund was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 to clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams. An authoritative source informed Vanguard yesterday that the DSS has beamed their searchlight on officials of the Nigeria Football Federation to show proof on what they did with the massive fund released to the Glass house.

‘’It’s a normal thing for DSS to go through all documents relating to the funds released them’’, our source said dismissing fears of witch hunt or hounding. The latest probe comes amid persistent public concerns over the administration of Nigerian football teams that have suffered severe systemic decline, highlighted by the Super Eagles missing consecutive FIFA World Cups and the historic failure of the Super Falcons to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Cameroon in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-finals, which ended their title defense and missed automatic World Cup qualification, subsequently facing a playoff path involving South Africa.

The Banyana Banyana defeated Nigeria’s Super Falcons 2–1 in the Women’s World Cup qualification playoff. Nigeria has played in every single FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991, making this the first time they failed to qualify.

The executive committee of the NFF headed by Ibrahim Gusau is under intense pressure to resign following the spate of failures and also following the resignation of more than half of its members. Eight of the 13 members of the NFF board have allegedly quit their positions and this development could halt the scheduled September 27 elections into the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) slated for Lafia, Nasarawa.