A former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has rejected allegations of financial mismanagement surrounding the FIFA Goal Project in Kebbi State, calling the controversy a misunderstanding.
The clarification comes amid public concern over a photo shared by FIFA on social media showing the Kebbi Stadium under the FIFA Forward Programme.
The image, taken in 2023, showed an unfinished structure and sparked criticism from Nigerians questioning how the $1.2 million allocated for the project was spent.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadu, had explained that the Federation of International Football Associations does not construct standard stadiums for countries, contrary to public assumptions regarding the Kebbi Stadium project.
Speaking on ARISE News on Wednesday, Pinnick defended the project’s transparency, stressing that FIFA’s strict financial oversight ensures proper use of funds.
“If FIFA gives you their money, they audit their money, they know A to Z, and they have standards. So if the contract was about 1.1 million dollars, 1.1 million dollars in 2020, how much was it in naira? Less than 400 million naira. That’s what people don’t know.
“Everything went according to plan. And even in the contract, I can share it; it was stated clearly that there was no variation. COVID came, and after COVID, you started building your workers on site and COVID, and everybody had to go. There was no additional dime to the contract, no variation, even in spite of COVID. There was a time in Nigerian football, I said, listen, you can hate Amaju Pinnick but love Nigerian football. Love Nigerian football.”
Pinnick also urged Nigerians to confirm facts before forming opinions, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to accountability and the growth of football in the country. “So I just want to appeal, let us get our facts right before we come out to the public and start saying things,” he added.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to set up a special committee to investigate FIFA and Confederation of African Football grants totaling $25 million given to the NFF.