The Nigerian House of Representatives has initiated an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of $25 million in football development grants received by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.
According to reports, the resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during Tuesday’s plenary, co-sponsored by Hon Adedayo Adesola (Lagos) and Hon Felix Nwaeke (Rivers).
The lawmakers lamented over what they described as "persistent financial irregularities" within the NFF, which they claim have eroded public confidence and contributed to the declining performance of Nigeria’s national teams.
In his address to the House, Adesola cited a 2016 audit query from FIFA regarding a $1.1 million grant, of which $802,000 reportedly lacked proper documentation.
The controversy led then Sports Minister Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit and demand accountability from the federation.
Further scrutiny was directed at NFF officials, including former president Amaju Pinnick, who faced investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) between 2018 and 2019.
The House maintained that these probes were linked to alleged misappropriation of sponsorship funds and development grants.
The lawmakers also raised questions about a $1.2 million grant reportedly used for the construction of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium.
Adesola described the facility as "substandard," stating that a physical inspection revealed poor quality and insufficient infrastructure that failed to justify the amount spent.
"This stadium has become a symbol of the lack of transparency and accountability that has plagued the NFF for years," Adesola said.
The House resolved to summon NFF leadership to appear before its Committee on Sports, armed with documentation detailing the receipt and expenditure of all FIFA and CAF grants over the past decade.
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