House probes Nigerian Football Federation over alleged $25m fund misuse from FIFA and CAF, aiming to restore trust and accountability in football governance
House probes Nigerian Football Federation over allegations of financial mismanagement as lawmakers move to review all NFF accounts and activities from 2015 to date.
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The House of Representatives adopted a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by Dr Adedayo Samuel Adesola (APC, Lagos) and Nwaeke Felix Uche (PDP, Rivers), directing the NFF leadership to appear before the House Committee on Sports with records of all activities, receipts, and disbursements during the period under review.
Leading the debate, Dr Adesola referenced recent claims by former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh, who accused the NFF of stifling football development through mismanagement of FIFA and CAF grants — including the controversial handling of $1 million received from FIFA to prepare for the 2002 World Cup.
He alleged that between 2015 and 2025, the NFF received over $25 million in development funds without tangible evidence of improvement in local football infrastructure or programmes.
Adesola recalled that in December 2016, FIFA issued an audit query over the alleged mishandling of a $1.1 million development grant, revealing that $802,000 lacked proper documentation, prompting then Sports Minister Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit.
He also cited previous investigations between 2018 and 2019, when NFF officials — including then-president Amaju Pinnick — faced EFCC and ICPC probes over alleged diversion of funds and sponsorship monies.
One of the contentious cases involved $1.2 million reportedly used for the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, which, according to Adesola, was found to be “substandard and unworthy of the sum claimed.”
Comparing Nigeria’s case to Kenya, he noted that the Kenyan Football Federation utilised a similar grant to build a modern, fully equipped stadium — underscoring the need for greater accountability in Nigeria’s football administration.
“With the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers ahead, we cannot afford another episode of financial recklessness,” Adesola said. “This investigation is necessary to restore both national and international confidence in our football.”
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Lawmakers resolved to pursue the probe to its conclusion and take corrective actions that will ensure transparency and integrity within the Nigerian Football Federation.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
