The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over alleged mismanagement of financial grants totalling $25 million received 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 at Tuesday’s plenary, co-sponsored by Adedayo Adesola from Lagos and Felix Nwaeke from Rivers State.
Adesola, while moving the motion titled “Motion to Stop Further Misuse of FIFA and CAF Grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” argued that years of financial mismanagement had contributed to the decline in Nigeria’s football performance across all national teams.
He cited previous controversies, including FIFA’s 2016 audit query over the mishandling of a $1.1 million development grant, where $802,000 was reportedly undocumented, prompting then Sports Minister Solomon Dalung to order an independent probe.
The lawmaker also referenced multiple investigations by anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, during the tenure of former NFF President Amaju Pinnick.
One of the funds under scrutiny, $1.2 million, was allegedly used to construct a substandard mini-stadium in Birnin Kebbi, a project now drawing fresh public outrage.
Adesola warned that with major tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup play-offs approaching, decisive action was needed to prevent further misuse of funds meant for national team development.
The motion received unanimous support from lawmakers, leading Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to order the creation of a special committee to examine NFF finances from 2015 to date.
The committee will also summon NFF leadership to present detailed records of all grants received and how they were spent.
