The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to constitute a special investigative committee to probe the alleged mismanagement of financial grants totalling $25 million received by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance jointly sponsored by Hon. Adedayo Adesola (Lagos) and Hon. Felix Nwaeke (Rivers) during Tuesday’s plenary.
Titled “Motion to Stop Further Misuse of FIFA and CAF Grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” the motion accused the NFF of repeatedly mismanaging funds from the world football governing bodies — a situation lawmakers say has contributed to the country’s declining football fortunes.
Citing past controversies, Adesola recalled that in December 2016, FIFA queried the NFF over the mishandling of $1.1 million in development funds, with $802,000 unaccounted for. The development led then Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, to order an independent audit of the NFF’s finances.
The lawmaker also referenced several investigations between 2018 and 2019 involving top NFF officials — including former president Amaju Pinnick — who faced probes by the EFCC and ICPC over alleged financial improprieties.
He added that one of the recent controversies involves $1.2 million purportedly spent on the construction of a mini-stadium in Birnin Kebbi, which lawmakers described as “substandard” and unbefitting of the claimed expenditure.
“We are concerned that the so-called mini-stadium in Birnin Kebbi cannot justify the $1.2 million reportedly spent by the NFF. The structure lacks quality and quantity consistent with such funding,” Adesola said.
The lawmakers expressed concern that with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers, there was an urgent need to ensure transparency and accountability in football administration.
Following the debate, the House unanimously adopted the motion, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directing the formation of a special investigative committee to review the NFF’s finances from 2015 to date.
The NFF leadership is also to be invited to appear before the committee with relevant receipts, expenditure records, and supporting documents for all FIFA and CAF grants received within the period under review.