National Assembly Proposes Removing NFF from Treasury Single Account

The National Assembly has proposed removing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), citing persistent administrative bottlenecks that have affected the federation’s ability to access funds during international competitions.

The proposal was raised on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, during the NFF’s budget defence session before lawmakers, according to BSNSports.com.ng. Legislators expressed concern that delays in fund disbursement under the TSA framework have disrupted preparations for major tournaments and exposed Nigeria to international embarrassment.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is currently subject to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, a unified banking structure that consolidates all federal government revenues and payments into a single account maintained by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The system was designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficient cash management, requiring all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to process transactions through approved channels, typically via the CBN gateway.

However, lawmakers noted that the structure has created operational challenges for the NFF, particularly when urgent payments are needed during international assignments.

The issue gained renewed attention following past 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 ahead 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 CBN. He explained that processing timelines often affect the timely payment of match bonuses and allowances to players and officials.

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 retire the funds after competitions are completed, thereby bypassing lengthy bureaucratic processes.

Lawmakers said the reform is intended to ensure Nigeria’s national teams are not hindered by financial delays during international engagements.