NFF Fact-Finding Committee Raises Alarm Over Unequal Payments, Football Governance

The former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Fact-Finding Committee has raised concerns over alleged disparities in the treatment and payment of members of Nigeria’s national team delegations.

The committee alleged that while NFF board members and management staff receive payments, some players and officials are left inadequately compensated.

Former NFF Ethics Committee member, Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON), disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists after the committee submitted its report on Nigeria’s recent struggles in international football.

The committee was established following concerns over the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where Nigeria failed to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

According to Amun, the committee’s investigation uncovered several administrative, technical, financial, regulatory and organisational challenges affecting the development and performance of Nigerian football.

One of the major issues identified was the alleged unequal treatment of members of national team delegations. The report noted claims that NFF board members and management staff receive payments, while players and some officials are not adequately compensated.

The committee also examined allegations of financial incentives involving NFF board members, management staff and coaches, including claims that certain officials could influence player invitations and selection into national teams.

It further highlighted allegations that some coaches and officials may invite players to national team camps for financial benefits or receive incentives to compromise technical decisions.

However, the committee stressed that such allegations must be properly investigated through the appropriate internal mechanisms and should not be allowed to damage the credibility of the federation.

On allegations of player influence, the committee said it found no evidence that individual Super Falcons players exerted undue influence over team selection or technical decisions.

It also reported that the players were generally cooperative and found no evidence of factions disrupting the team’s preparations.

The committee nevertheless called for clearer definitions of responsibilities within technical teams, particularly concerning analysts and other support personnel.

On the case of Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre, the committee said its findings established that the player had undergone surgery and was medically unfit to participate in the WAFCON. The position was reportedly supported by medical personnel in Nigeria and her foreign club.

The committee recommended that future national team selections should be based on players’ fitness, medical assessments and clearly defined performance indicators.

Amun’s committee also criticised what it described as uncontrolled access by officials to national team camps, calling the practice unacceptable. It recommended stricter regulations governing access to camps to safeguard discipline, team cohesion and the authority of coaches.

On the broader development of Nigerian football, the committee recommended the establishment of a structured framework for talent identification, scouting, player development and national team management.

It also called for improved data management and the adoption of modern age-verification technology.

The report further recommended earlier preparation of national teams, improved coaching education and stronger regulation of domestic competitions, including the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nationwide League One (NLO) and Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL).

The committee also urged the NFF to explore technology-driven and innovative revenue streams while restructuring government and corporate support for football.

On governance, it recommended reforms to the composition of the NFF Congress and proposed limiting members to a maximum of two terms in office.

In its overall assessment, the committee urged the NFF to demonstrate the political will required to implement its recommendations, stressing that Nigeria’s football challenges cannot be solved through isolated interventions.

It said sustainable progress would require coordinated, long-term reforms across administration, finance, technical development, governance and the domestic football structure.