…as lawmakers decry mismanagement of over $25 million football funds
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over allegations of misappropriation and poor management of grants received from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon Adedayo Samuel Adesola and co-sponsored by Hon. Nwaeke Felix Uche, who accused the football body of serial financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and undermining the development of football in Nigeria.
Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Adesola cited recent comments by former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, who alleged that the NFF had consistently misused grants from FIFA and CAF, including the controversial handling of a $1 million fund meant to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.
The lawmaker noted that between 2015 and 2025, the NFF reportedly received over $25 million in development funds from FIFA and CAF, with little to show for such huge financial inflows.
“It is unfortunate that despite the enormous grants and sponsorship funds received by the NFF over the years, Nigerian football continues to decline, and our infrastructure remains in poor shape,” Adesola said.
He recalled that in 2016, FIFA raised an audit query over the mismanagement of a $1.1 million development grant, discovering that $802,000 was unaccounted for. The then Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, subsequently ordered an independent audit of the NFF’s finances.
Adesola further reminded the House that between 2018 and 2019, top NFF officials — including then President Amaju Pinnick — were subjects of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial impropriety involving both government and sponsorship funds.
He added that one of the latest controversies involved a $1.2 million FIFA grant allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, which has drawn public outrage after inspection revealed a substandard facility that did not justify the claimed expenditure.
“A physical inspection of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium showed a facility that falls short of acceptable standards. Ironically, the Kenyan Football Federation used a similar amount to build a world-class training complex. This raises serious concerns about profligacy and mismanagement within the NFF,” Adesola said.
The lawmaker expressed concern that with the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup qualifiers approaching, there is an urgent need to address corruption and restore accountability within the football administration to protect Nigeria’s image globally.
Adopting the motion, the House resolved to:
Constitute a special investigative committee to examine the activities and financial records of the NFF from 2015 to date;
Summon the leadership of the NFF to appear before the committee with full documentation of receipts, grants, and expenditures; and
Take further legislative actions to ensure transparency, accountability, and the restoration of public and international confidence in Nigeria’s football governance.
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