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National Assembly Proposes Removing NFF from TSA Over Funding Delays
The National Assembly has proposed removing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), citing persistent administrative bottlenecks that have hampered the federation’s access to funds during international competitions.
The proposal was raised on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, during the NFF’s budget defence session before lawmakers. Legislators expressed concern that delays in fund disbursement under the TSA framework have repeatedly disrupted preparations for major tournaments and exposed the country to potential international embarrassment.
The Treasury Single Account is a unified and mandatory banking structure that consolidates all federal government revenues and payments into a single account maintained by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Introduced to promote transparency, accountability, and efficient cash management, the system requires all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to process transactions through approved CBN channels.
However, lawmakers argued that while the TSA promotes financial discipline, its rigid procedures have created operational challenges for the NFF — particularly when urgent payments are required during international assignments.
The matter gained renewed attention following previous incidents involving the Super Eagles, including a high-profile episode during a CAF FIFA World Cup playoff in Morocco, when players reportedly refused to train on the eve of a decisive match against DR Congo over unpaid allowances and bonuses.
Responding to questions about recurring cases of unpaid entitlements, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau attributed the delays to administrative procedures between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to Gusau, the processing timeline under the TSA often affects the timely payment of match bonuses and allowances to players and officials, especially during overseas engagements.
In response, members of the National Assembly suggested initiating legislation to grant the NFF a special financial arrangement.
Under the proposed framework, the federation would receive approved government funds in advance for tournaments and subsequently retire the funds after the completion of matches or competitions — effectively bypassing lengthy bureaucratic protocols while maintaining accountability.
Lawmakers noted that the proposed reform is aimed at ensuring Nigeria’s national teams are not hindered by financial delays during international engagements.
If passed, the move could mark a significant shift in the financial management structure of Nigerian football.
