Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick, has firmly dismissed allegations that funds allocated for the FIFA Goal Project in Kebbi State were misused, calling the claims “completely misconstrued.”

The controversy erupted after FIFA posted an image of the partially completed Benin-Kebbi Stadium on social media, prompting widespread criticism from football supporters who questioned the handling of the project budget.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Pinnick stressed that every phase of the project complied with FIFA’s strict financial regulations and oversight processes.

“If FIFA gives you money, they audit every penny. They know everything from A to Z, and they have standards,” Pinnick stated. “The contract was about $1.1 million in 2020 — in naira then, that was less than ₦400 million. That’s what many people don’t realise.”

He further explained that construction delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic did not result in any additional funding or project variations.

“There was no variation despite the challenges. Everything went according to plan,” he added. “You can hate Amaju Pinnick, but love Nigerian football.”

The FIFA Goal Project is intended to improve football infrastructure globally, though in Nigeria, the initiative has faced scrutiny due to abandoned or poorly maintained facilities across the country.