National Assembly: Super Eagles Payment Crisis Spurs Call For NFF Removal From TSA

National Assembly: Super Eagles Payment Crisis Spurs Call For NFF Removal From TSA 

By Niyi Busari 

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

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

The Treasury Single Account is a unified and mandatory banking structure that consolidates all federal government revenues and payments into a single account maintained by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Designed to promote transparency, accountability, and efficient cash management, the system requires 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 required 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 on the eve of a decisive match against DR Congo over unpaid allowances and bonuses.

Responding to questions from lawmakers about recurring cases of unpaid entitlements, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau attributed the delays to administrative procedures between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria. According to him, the processing timeline often affects the timely payment of match bonuses and allowances to players and officials.

In response, members of the National Assembly suggested initiating legislation that would grant the NFF a special financial arrangement. Under the proposed framework, the federation would receive approved government funds in advance for tournaments and subsequently retire the funds after the completion of matches or competitions, thereby bypassing lengthy bureaucratic protocols.

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