The House of Representatives has resolved to launch a comprehensive investigation into the alleged mismanagement of $25 million in grants received by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The resolution was reached on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance jointly sponsored by Adedayo Adesola (APC, Lagos) and Felix Nwaeke (PDP, Rivers) during plenary.
Adesola, who moved the motion, said the alleged misuse of FIFA and CAF development grants had contributed significantly to the declining performance of Nigeria’s national football teams in recent years.
He recalled that in 2016, FIFA raised an audit query over the handling of a $1.1 million development grant, revealing that $802,000 was unaccounted for — a situation that prompted then Sports Minister Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit.
The lawmaker also noted that between 2018 and 2019, top NFF officials, including former president Amaju Pinnick, were investigated by the EFCC and ICPC over allegations of corruption, misappropriation of funds, and irregular sponsorship deals.
$1.2m Birnin Kebbi Stadium Under Review
Adesola further cited viral reports alleging that the NFF spent $1.2 million on the construction of a mini-stadium in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
“We are deeply concerned that a physical inspection of the Birnin Kebbi stadium revealed a substandard facility in both quality and capacity — one that cannot justify the reported expenditure of $1.2 million,” he said.
The House also referenced remarks by former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, who accused the NFF of mismanaging FIFA grants and stifling football development in Nigeria. Oliseh had previously questioned how $1 million received from FIFA for Nigeria’s 2002 World Cup preparations was spent.
Adesola emphasized the urgency of financial accountability as the country prepares for upcoming tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup qualifiers.
Following deliberations, the motion was unanimously adopted under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The House subsequently resolved to establish a special investigative committee to probe the NFF’s finances from 2015 to date and summon NFF executives to present detailed records of all FIFA and CAF grants, receipts, and expenditures.
