The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of $25 million in financial grants received by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by Adedayo Adesola (APC, Lagos) and Felix Nwaeke (PDP, Rivers) during plenary on Tuesday.
Moving the motion titled “Need to Stop Further Misuse of FIFA and CAF Grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” Hon. Adesola expresses concern that the misuse of development funds has contributed to the country’s declining performance in international football.
He recalls that former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, recently accused the NFF of frustrating the growth of Nigerian football by diverting FIFA and CAF grants. According to Adesola, between 2015 and 2025, the NFF received over $25 million from the two football bodies without any visible improvement in football infrastructure or management.
The lawmaker also references a 2016 FIFA audit query over the alleged mismanagement of $1.1 million in development funds, of which $802,000 was reportedly unaccounted for. He notes that this led the then Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, to order an independent audit of the NFF’s finances.
Reports by Mediaplusng.com indicate that between 2018 and 2019, top NFF officials, including former President Amaju Pinnick, were investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial impropriety. One of the grants, $1.2 million, was said to have been used to build the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, but inspection reports revealed the facility to be below standard compared to the funds expended.
Adesola also points out that a similar FIFA grant in Kenya was used to build a modern, well-equipped stadium — a contrast that raises serious questions about financial accountability in Nigeria’s football administration.
With the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup qualifiers approaching, the lawmaker urges the House to take decisive action to prevent further misuse of donor and public funds.
Following deliberations, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directs the formation of a special committee to probe the NFF’s finances from 2015 to date. The committee will summon the Federation’s leadership to present records of all funds received and expended from FIFA and CAF grants.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the investigation aims to promote transparency, restore accountability in Nigerian football, and ensure that future grants are used strictly for sports development.
