NFF Under Fire for Allegedly Diverting Super Eagles’ Funds Amid Training Boycott
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is facing serious scrutiny following claims that it diverted funds earmarked for Super Eagles players’ bonuses and allowances, funds which reportedly went unsettled, sparking a training boycott in Morocco.
Sources told SaharaReporters that more than US$130,000 in winning bonuses and allowances remained unpaid, prompting the Super Eagles squad and officials to refuse their first training session in Rabat ahead of their World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon.
According to insiders, the unpaid sums relate to victories against Lesotho (in South Africa) and Benin Republic (in Uyo).
The sources allege that although the NFF had already received full funding from the federal government to clear outstanding debts, the money was misused for internal administrative purposes within the federation instead of going to the players.
Documents referenced by SaharaReporters reportedly include a letter from President Bola Tinubu, authorizing immediate payment of arrears.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) is said to have explicitly instructed in writing that payments owed to players should be treated as a “first-line charge” on disbursed funds, meaning they should be the first priority before other federation expenses.
However, sources claim the NFF ignored this directive, using the money instead for other internal matters, which prevented timely payments to the team ahead of their departure to Morocco.
In a controversial move, some of the payment to players was made in cash in Rabat, facilitated by the NSC.
According to the report, this was “extra-budgetary,” raising even more questions about the NFF’s adherence to proper financial protocols.
Top NFF officials, including President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, are expected to face tough questions over their alleged failure to comply with the NSC’s payment directive.
Despite repeated efforts, SaharaReporters says it has not received an adequate public explanation from the NFF about how the funds were utilized.
This latest crisis adds to growing concerns over financial governance within the NFF, especially as players struggle to receive long-overdue payments.