The report of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Fact-Finding Committee has raised concerns over alleged disparities in the payment and treatment of members of Nigeria’s national team delegations, including claims that some board members and management staff receive payments while players and certain officials are inadequately compensated.
Former member of the NFF Ethics Committee, Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON), disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists after the committee submitted its report on Nigeria’s recent performances in international football. Blueprint reports
The committee was constituted following concerns over the country’s disappointing outing at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, which ended with the Super Falcons failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Amun said the committee’s investigation identified a number of administrative, technical, financial, regulatory and organisational issues which, in its view, require attention if Nigeria is to restore stability and competitiveness in football.
Report questions payment structure
According to Amun, one of the issues examined by the committee was the treatment of members of national team delegations, particularly the alleged differences in the payment of board members, management personnel, players and other officials.
She said the report raised concerns that some NFF board members and management staff receive payments while players and certain officials are not adequately compensated.
The committee also examined allegations surrounding 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 considered allegations that some coaches or officials might invite players to national team camps for financial benefits or receive incentives capable of influencing technical decisions.
However, the committee stressed that such allegations require proper investigation through the appropriate internal mechanisms and should not be treated as established facts without due process.
The report consequently called for greater transparency, accountability and clearer procedures in the administration of national teams.
No evidence of player interference
On the controversy surrounding player influence within the Super Falcons, the committee said it found no evidence that individual 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 within the squad disrupting preparations for the competition.
The committee, however, identified the need for clearer definition of responsibilities within technical teams, particularly concerning analysts and other support personnel.
It said clearly defined roles would help prevent confusion and strengthen accountability within national team setups.
Plumptre injury examined
The committee also reviewed the case of Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre, whose availability for the WAFCON had generated discussions.
Amun said the investigation established that Plumptre had undergone surgery and was medically unfit to participate in the tournament.
According to the report, the position was supported by medical assessments from personnel in Nigeria as well as her foreign club.
The committee therefore recommended that future national team selection should be guided by players’ fitness, medical assessments and clearly established performance indices.
It stressed that selection decisions should be based on objective and verifiable criteria in order to promote confidence in the national team system.
Committee seeks tighter camp regulations
The report also criticised what it described as uncontrolled access of officials to national team camps, recommending stricter regulations governing access to players and technical areas.
Amun said unrestricted movement of officials within team camps could undermine discipline, team cohesion and the authority of coaches.
The committee therefore called for clear camp protocols specifying who should have access to players and under what circumstances.
It said strengthening camp administration would help create an environment where coaches can exercise their technical responsibilities without unnecessary interference.
Calls for broader football reforms
Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding the Super Falcons, the committee proposed broader reforms covering talent identification, scouting, player development and national team management.
It recommended the establishment of a structured framework for identifying and developing players, supported by improved data management and modern age-verification technology.
The committee also called for earlier preparation of national teams for major competitions, improved coaching education and stronger regulation of domestic competitions.
It specifically identified the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nationwide League One (NLO) and Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) as areas requiring stronger regulatory attention.
According to the committee, a stronger domestic football structure would provide a more sustainable pathway for discovering and developing players for national teams.
Revenue, governance reforms
The committee further urged the NFF to explore technology and innovative revenue-generating opportunities to reduce dependence on traditional sources of funding.
It called for a review of government and corporate support for football, stressing the need for a more sustainable financing structure for the development of the sport.
On governance, the report recommended reforms to the composition of the NFF Congress and proposed a maximum of two terms for members.
The committee said such measures could strengthen accountability, encourage fresh ideas and promote greater stability in the administration of football.
Amun said the recommendations were aimed at addressing systemic challenges rather than attributing Nigeria’s football difficulties to a single individual or isolated incident.
Call for implementation
The committee ultimately urged the NFF to demonstrate the political will required to implement the recommendations contained in the report.
It stressed that the challenges confronting Nigerian football had developed over time and would require coordinated and sustainable interventions.
The report therefore advocated a comprehensive approach involving improved administration, technical development, player welfare, financial accountability, grassroots development and stronger regulation of domestic competitions.
Amun said the objective of the committee was to identify areas requiring attention and provide recommendations capable of strengthening Nigerian football and improving the country’s performance on the international stage.
The report comes at a time when Nigerian football authorities are facing renewed calls for reforms following the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a setback that has intensified scrutiny of the administration and development of the game.
