By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ethics Committee member, Ambassador Fanny Amun (MON), has raised concerns over alleged disparities in the payment and treatment of members of Nigeria’s national team delegations, claiming that some board members and management officials receive financial benefits while players and other officials are left inadequately compensated.
Amun made the remarks on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists after the NFF Fact-Finding Committee submitted its report on Nigeria’s recent poor performances in international football.
The committee was constituted amid concerns over the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, which ended with Nigeria failing to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
According to Amun, the committee uncovered several administrative, technical, financial, regulatory and organisational challenges affecting the development and performance of Nigerian football.
One of the major concerns identified in the report was the alleged unequal treatment of members of national team delegations.
The committee noted allegations that while NFF board members and management staff receive payments and financial benefits during national team engagements, players and some officials are sometimes left without adequate compensation.
It also examined allegations involving financial incentives for board members, NFF management officials and coaches, as well as claims that some officials could influence player invitations and selection into national teams.
The report further highlighted allegations that some coaches and officials may invite players to national team camps for financial gains or receive incentives to compromise professional decisions.
However, the committee stressed that such allegations require proper investigation through established internal mechanisms and should not be allowed to undermine the credibility of the federation without evidence.
On claims of player influence within the Super Falcons, the committee said it found no evidence that individual players exerted undue influence over team selection or technical decisions.
It also reported that the players were generally cooperative and that there was no evidence of factions within the team disrupting preparations.
The committee, however, called for clearer responsibilities within national team technical crews, particularly concerning the duties of analysts and other support staff.
On defender Ashleigh Plumptre, the committee found that she had undergone surgery and was medically unfit to participate in the WAFCON.
The position, according to the report, was supported by medical personnel in Nigeria and officials of her foreign club.
The committee recommended that future player selection should be guided strictly by fitness levels, medical assessments and clearly defined performance indices.
Amun also criticised what the committee described as uncontrolled access to national team camps by officials, calling the practice unacceptable.
It recommended stricter camp regulations to protect discipline, team cohesion and the authority of coaches.
On football development, the committee proposed a structured framework for talent identification, scouting, player development and national team management, alongside improved data management and the use of age-verification technology.
It also called for early preparation of national teams, improved coaching education and stronger regulation of domestic competitions, including the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).
The report further urged the NFF to embrace technology and explore innovative revenue streams while restructuring government and corporate support for football development.
On governance, the committee recommended reforms to the composition of the NFF Congress and proposed a maximum two-term tenure for members.
The committee ultimately challenged the NFF to demonstrate the political will to implement the recommendations, warning that Nigeria’s football problems require sustainable and coordinated reforms rather than isolated interventions.
Amun said meaningful change would only be achieved if the federation confronts the structural and administrative challenges identified in the report and places the welfare and development of players at the centre of its decision-making.
