NFF Staff Fear Phone Surveillance as Probe Deepens Into Federation Affairs

There is growing apprehension within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) amid fears that the phones of several staff members and officials may have been placed under surveillance by security agencies following an ongoing investigation into the federation’s activities.

The concerns come in the wake of investigations conducted after the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Côte d’Ivoire in 2024. Shortly after the tournament, all members of the NFF Board, including the federation’s President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, were reportedly invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for questioning. Sources indicated that the officials were instructed to appear before investigators with their international passports.

Following the probe, some board members were reportedly found culpable of financial irregularities and were directed to refund substantial sums allegedly received as estacode allowances to the Federal Government.

Investigators are said to have uncovered discrepancies in the travel records contained in some officials’ international passports. According to sources, certain board members claimed to have remained in Côte d’Ivoire throughout the duration of the AFCON tournament, but evidence allegedly suggested otherwise.

Further investigations reportedly revealed that security agencies may have identified properties allegedly acquired through proxies by some senior NFF officials. The properties are said to be located in high-value areas of Abuja and other parts of the country.

Sources also alleged that a top NFF official, who plays a key supervisory role within the federation, regularly travels with his girlfriend to international football competitions and Super Eagles matches abroad.

The official is also said to have frequently boasted about having visited more than 40 countries. According to associates, he has maintained that retaining his position after the NFF elections scheduled for September is not a matter of life and death.

He was quoted as saying that the current Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, contested for the NFF presidency for several years before eventually being appointed to a position he considers higher than that of NFF chairman.

“It’s not a do-or-die affair for me to return to office. After all, Shehu Dikko contested for the NFF chairmanship since 2010, and when the time came, God elevated him to a position higher than that of NFF chairman. God can elevate anyone at His appointed time,” the official was quoted as telling some of his associates.

Neither the NFF nor the officials mentioned in the allegations had publicly responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

See Full Bio