Reps to probe NFF over alleged misuse of $25m FIFA, CAF grants

The house of representatives has resolved to probe the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over alleged misuse of $25 million grants received from the global and continental soccer ruling bodies.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during Tuesday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion co-sponsored by Adedayo Adesola and Nwaeke Uche.

Moving the motion, Adesola, who represents the Apapa federal constituency of Lagos, said the grants were received from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.

“Between 2015 and 2025, NFF allegedly received development funds in excess of USD 25 million from FIFA and CAF with nothing tangible on the ground to justify the huge capital inflow from these soccer bodies,” the lawmaker said.

“In December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the mishandling of a US$1.1 million development grant to NFF and reported that US$802,000 lacked proper documentation, prompting sports minister Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit and ask NFF to account for receipts and disbursements.

“Between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials (including the then president, Amaju Pinnick) faced public criticism and were subject to EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies.

“One of these monies, a US$1.2 million, is the subject of a news item currently trending on social media, which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi stadium.

“A physical inspection of the stadium in Birnin Kebbi, as it is, shows a substandard facility in terms of quality and quantity, which cannot justify the sum of US$1.2 million claimed to have been spent on the project by the NFF, whereas the Kenyan Football Federation used the same amount of grant to develop a standard and well-equipped facility.”

The lawmaker said there is a need to take decisive action to prevent the misuse of public funds by NFF leadership as another African Cup of Nations and World Cup involving the Super Eagles beckon.

The motion was adopted when Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, called for a voice vote.

The house mandated the committee on sports to summon the leadership of the NFF and investigate the “misuse” of funds.