By Kabiru Abdulrauf
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over the alleged mismanagement of financial grants totaling $25 million received from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during Tuesday’s plenary, jointly sponsored by Adedayo Adesola from Lagos and Felix Nwaeke from Rivers State.
Titled “Motion to Stop Further Misuse of FIFA and CAF Grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” the lawmakers expressed concern that the mismanagement of these funds has contributed to Nigeria’s declining performance in international football.
Adesola noted that FIFA had in 2016 raised an audit query over the handling of a $1.1 million development grant, citing poor documentation for $802,000 of the sum. The issue prompted then Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, to order an independent audit and demand accountability from the NFF.
He also recalled that between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials, including then-President Amaju Pinnick, faced investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over alleged fund mismanagement and questionable sponsorship deals.
One of the more recent controversies involves $1.2 million reportedly allocated for the construction of a mini-stadium in Birnin Kebbi, which lawmakers say falls far short of the amount claimed. “A physical inspection of the stadium showed it to be a substandard facility in terms of quality and quantity, which cannot justify the $1.2 million said to have been spent,” Adesola stated.
The Lagos lawmaker further cited the need for financial transparency ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup playoffs, both involving the Super Eagles, warning that continued mismanagement could undermine the country’s football development.
Following deliberations, the motion was unanimously adopted. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the establishment of a special investigative committee to probe NFF finances from 2015 to date.
The committee is expected to invite the NFF leadership to present detailed records of all receipts and expenditures relating to FIFA and CAF grants, as well as sponsorship and development funds.
The move marks the latest effort by the legislature to enforce accountability in Nigeria’s football administration, amid persistent allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement within the federation.
