House Of Reps To Probe NFF Over $25m FIFA, CAF Grants
The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to set up a Special Investigative Committee to probe how the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) handled $25 million in financial grants.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by Lagos lawmaker Adedayo Adesola and his Rivers State counterpart Felix Nwaeke during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Titled “Motion to sport further misuse of FIFA and CAF grants by Nigerian Football Federation,” the motion highlighted long-standing allegations of financial mismanagement within the nation’s football body.
Adesola linked the mismanagement of funds from the global football governing bodies to the decline in Nigeria’s football performance in recent years.
He stressed the need for decisive action, particularly with major tournaments such as the African Nations Cup and World Cup play-offs involving the Super Eagles approaching.
The lawmaker recalled that in December 2016, FIFA raised an audit query over the mishandling of a $1.1 million development grant to NFF, noting that $802,000 lacked proper documentation.
The then Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, subsequently ordered an independent audit and required NFF to account for all receipts and disbursements.
Adesola also pointed to recurring controversies, noting that between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials, including former President Amaju Pinnick, faced public criticism, EFCC and ICPC investigations, and court actions over alleged fund mismanagement.
One controversial allocation, $1.2 million reportedly used for the construction of Birnin Kebbi Stadium, drew further scrutiny after a physical inspection revealed a substandard facility.
Comparing the expenditure to Kenya, Adesola said the same amount had funded a standard, well-equipped stadium there, raising further questions about NFF’s financial management.
The House resolved that the Special Investigative Committee would examine NFF’s financial records from 2015 to date and summon its leadership to present detailed documents on grant receipts and expenditures.
The probe is set to be one of the most comprehensive parliamentary investigations into Nigerian football finances in recent years, potentially setting a new standard for accountability in the sport.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
