By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has moved to investigate the alleged mismanagement of grants received by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Lawmakers directed the NFF to halt any further misuse of such funds and to present detailed financial records, including receipts, disbursements, and reports of activities, covering the period from 2015 to date.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Rep. Adedayo Adesola and Rep. Nwaeke Uche during plenary on Tuesday. The motion stemmed from growing concerns over the lack of transparency in how international football development funds are utilised in Nigeria.
Adesola drew attention to recent comments by former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh, who accused the NFF of mismanaging funds meant to support football development, including a $1 million grant from FIFA for the team’s 2002 World Cup preparations.
He further alleged that between 2015 and 2025, the NFF received over $25 million in grants from FIFA and CAF without corresponding results or visible improvements in the nation’s football infrastructure and development.
The House resolved to take further legislative action to promote transparency and accountability in the management of football funds and to help rebuild public and international confidence in Nigeria’s sports administration.
The moton reads: “Further recall that in December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the mishandling of US$1.1 development grant to NFF and reported that US$802,000 lacked proper documentation; prompting Sports minister, Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit and asked NFF to account for receipts and disbursements.
“Cognisant: that between 2018 and 2019, NFFÂ officials (including the then President, Amaju Pinnick) faced public criticism an we’re subject of EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies. One of these monies, a L’s 1.2 Million is the subject of a news item currently trending on the social media, which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium.
“Concerned that a physical inspection of the Sta! um in Birnin Kebbi as it is showed a substandard facility in terms of qualit and quantity which cannot justify the sum of US$1.2 claimed to have spen on the project by the NFF, whereas Kenyan Football Federation used the same amount of grant to develop a standard and well-equipped facility, to further ra i e,ebrows on the profligacy in NFF.
“Aware that with another African Cup of Nations around the corner and the World Cup play off, both involving the Supe: Eagles of Nigeria, there is need to take decisive action on further misuse of public funes by the leadership of NFF.
The House Resolves to”.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the House Committee on Sports to investigate and report back for further legislative action.Â
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