By Andrew Abah, Abuja
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Fact-Finding Committee has raised concerns over alleged disparities in the treatment and payment of members of national team delegations, with claims that board members and management staff receive payments while some players and officials were left inadequately taken care of.
Former member of NFF Ethics committee, Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON), stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday after the committee submitted its report on Nigeria’s recent poor performances in international assignments.
The committee was constituted following growing concerns over the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, which culminated in Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
According to Amun, the investigation uncovered a number of administrative, technical, financial, regulatory and organisational challenges affecting the development and performance of Nigerian football.
The report specifically highlighted concerns over the unequal treatment of national team delegations, noting that while NFF board members and management staff received payments, players and some officials were not adequately compensated.
The committee also examined allegations of financial incentives involving board members, NFF management staff and coaches, as well as claims that some officials could influence invitations and player selection for national teams.
It further noted allegations that some coaches and officials might invite players to national team camps for financial gains or receive incentives to compromise decisions.
However, the committee stressed that such allegations should be subjected to proper investigation through appropriate internal mechanisms and should not be allowed to undermine the credibility of the Federation.
On player influence, the committee said it found no evidence that individual Super Falcons players exerted undue influence over selection or technical decisions. It also reported that the players were generally cooperative and that there was no evidence of factions disrupting preparations.
The committee, however, called for clearer responsibilities within technical teams, particularly regarding the roles of analysts and other support staff.
It also examined the case of defender Ashleigh Plumptre and found that she had undergone surgery and was medically unfit to participate in the WAFCON, a position reportedly supported by medical personnel in Nigeria and her foreign club.
The report recommended that future player selection should be based on fitness, medical assessments and clearly defined performance indices.
The Amun’s committee also criticised the uncontrolled access of officials to national team camps, describing the practice as unacceptable. It recommended stricter camp regulations to protect discipline, team cohesion and the authority of coaches.
On football development, the committee recommended a structured framework for talent identification, scouting, player development and national team management, alongside improved data management and age-verification technology.
It also called for early preparation of national teams, improved coaching education and stronger regulation of the domestic leagues, including the NPFL, NNL, NLO and NWFL.
The committee further urged the NFF to explore technology 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 a maximum two-term tenure for members.
The committee ultimately urged the NFF to demonstrate the political will to implement its recommendations, stressing that Nigeria’s football challenges require sustainable and coordinated reforms rather than isolated interventions.
