The House of Representatives has decided to investigate the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over claims that it mismanaged $25 million in grants received from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.
This decision followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by lawmakers Adedayo Adesola from Lagos State and Felix Nwaeke from Rivers State.
According to Adesola, the NFF received several millions of dollars for football development but failed to use the money properly, which has contributed to the poor state of Nigerian football.
He recalled that in 2016, FIFA questioned how the NFF spent a $1.1 million grant after $802,000 was found to be unaccounted for. The then Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, ordered an independent audit to review the spending.
Adesola also mentioned that the EFCC and ICPC had previously investigated NFF officials for alleged corruption and misuse of sponsorship funds.
He further alleged that $1.2 million meant for the construction of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium was not properly used, saying the completed stadium is substandard and not worth the reported cost.
“With both the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers approaching, it is important to act quickly to stop the misuse of football funds,” Adesola said.
The House, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, unanimously agreed to set up a special investigative committee to audit the NFF’s finances from 2015 to date.
It also ordered the NFF leadership to appear before the committee with all financial records of grants received and how the funds were spent during the period under review.