By Atoyebi Nike
The House of Representatives has resolved to establish a Special Committee to investigate the alleged mismanagement of $25 million in grants received by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during Tuesday’s plenary, co-sponsored by Adedayo Adesola (Lagos) and Felix Nwaeke (Rivers).
Adesola, in his lead debate, said the misuse of development funds had contributed to Nigeria’s poor football performances. He cited allegations of financial irregularities, including FIFA’s 2016 audit query over a $1.1 million grant, where $802,000 was reportedly unaccounted for.
He recalled that former NFF officials, including ex-president Amaju Pinnick, had faced investigations by the EFCC and ICPC over similar issues.
Adesola also referenced a current controversy involving $1.2 million allegedly spent on constructing Birnin Kebbi Stadium a facility lawmakers described as “substandard and unworthy” of the reported cost.
“The Kenyan Football Federation used the same amount to build a modern facility, raising further questions about NFF’s spending culture,” he said.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, directed that a special committee be constituted to probe NFF finances from 2015 to date. The committee will also summon the NFF leadership to present documents detailing receipts and expenditures of FIFA and CAF grants.
