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NFF, ICPC Partner to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Drive, Warn Staff Against Misconduct
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Monday organised a sensitisation seminar for its staff as part of efforts to curb corruption and promote transparency within the Federation.
Declaring the seminar open, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, MON, warned that the Federation would no longer tolerate any form of misconduct by its personnel. He stressed that many actions often dismissed as routine by public servants constitute serious offences under the law.
“It is a corrupt practice for a public servant or civil servant to release official documents or information without authorisation. People take these things for granted, but they amount to serious misconduct. Likewise, it is a corrupt practice to collect salaries and allowances and fail to perform your duties as required,” Sanusi said.
The NFF General Secretary also expressed concern over the increasing number of frivolous and fictitious petitions targeting sports administrators. He urged the ICPC to address the trend, describing it as damaging to the reputation of the sports sector and a waste of the Commission’s investigative resources.
According to him, misinformation can be more harmful than a lack of information, and stronger measures, including appropriate sanctions, should be considered to discourage the submission of false allegations.
Representing the Chairman of the ICPC, Mr Olusegun Adigun, FSI, commended the NFF leadership under Dr Sanusi for its continued support of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU). He noted that corruption remains a major obstacle to national development by weakening institutions and slowing economic growth.
Adigun explained that the ICPC Act 2000 is built on three pillars—enforcement, prevention and public enlightenment—as the Commission’s core strategies for combating corruption.
On the issue of frivolous petitions, he encouraged the NFF to deepen its collaboration with the ICPC by inviting Commission officials to educate players, agents and other stakeholders during football-related engagements on ethical conduct and the consequences of corrupt practices.
Among those in attendance at the workshop were Chairman of the NFF’s ACTU, Barr. Queens Otarakpo; NFF Director of Media and Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire; Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Rajan Zaka; Director of Marketing and Sponsorships, Mr Alizor Chuks; Head of Protocol, Mr Barnabas Joro; ICPC Deputy Director (System Study and Review), Mr Kayode Kupolati; NFF deputy directors and assistant directors; facilitator Barr. Bimpe Abodunrin; ACTU Desk Officer Abdurahman Maigari; and members of the Federation’s staff.
