Four Times NFF Board Caught In Managerial Controversy

The Nigeria Football Federation has faced a series of backlashes in the past, primarily stemming from perceived managerial negligence concerning the welfare of its football teams or administrative malpractice in the country.

At various times, players and coaches have publicly condemned the actions of the apex football agency through interviews or social media posts, with their primary concern being issues related to funding.

One of the most recent incidents is the controversy surrounding the $1.2 million grant awarded to NFF by the global football body, FIFA, aimed at stadium development and youth talent growth.

FIFA funding row

Global football body FIFA has ignited serious reactions across Nigeria after displaying the Birnin Kebbi Stadium project in Kebbi State, a facility co-funded with the Nigeria Football Federation, on its official social media pages.

FIFA on Saturday used an image of the project, dating back to 2023, as the new profile banner on its official X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

The image, showing a half-furnished stadium in Birnin Kebbi, quickly went viral.

Built under the FIFA Forward Programme, the stadium was meant to symbolise progress in grassroots football. But as the photo circulated online, fans flooded social media with outrage and speculation.

Nigerians interpreted FIFA’s post as a subtle jab at the NFF, following recent allegations of fund mismanagement.

The uproar comes just days after football critic Chinedu Mobike, via his official Instagram handle #c_mobike, on October 23, 2025, accused the NFF of squandering millions of dollars meant for infrastructure projects, including its twin project in Delta State.

Mobike, in his viral video, claimed that FIFA gave the NFF “1.2 million dollars for two stadiums” — one in Kebbi and another in Ugborodo, Delta State, which, he alleged, “till today did not see daylight.”

Mikel Obi sponsoring Super Eagles flight

Ex-Chelsea star and former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, criticised NFF over bad welfare during the under-23 2016 Rio Olympics.

He said, “When I represented my country at the Olympics in Brazil, we had to fly there, and we waited from morning till night, waiting for a plane to take us to Brazil,” Mikel said on his podcast.

“There was no plane to take us to Brazil because there was infighting behind the scenes over who was going to pick up the tab.

“The FA didn’t want to pick up the tab, the government, I think, released the money, but the FA or whoever got the money into his hands refused to release the money.

“So we waited at the airport from morning till night, but there was no flight. I had to pay for that flight to take us to Brazil. And these are little things.”

“I had to sort out my hotel because the hotel they provided for us were so bad to stay in. I had to move to somewhere more conducive for players to perform,” Mikel added.

Oliseh Salary Debt

Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has revealed he refused to take legal action against the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid salaries because he did not want to be seen as fighting against his country.

The 51-year-old tactician disclosed that the NFF still owes him $26,000 in unpaid salaries from his time in charge of the national team between 2015 and 2016.

Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, Oliseh expressed frustration over the lingering debt but made it clear that he has chosen not to take legal action against the federation out of respect for his country.

“Till today, I am the only Nigerian coach who ever resigned. And till today, they are still owing me two months’ salary, which is $26,000,” Oliseh said.

Ajibade’s Outburst

Super Falcons captain and forward, Rasheedat Ajibade, also expressed frustration over the delay in the payment of promised allowances and bonuses to the team.

Following the Super Falcons’ historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Morocco, President Bola Tinubu had in July 2025 announced a cash reward of $100,000 for each player, along with other bonuses, as a token of appreciation for their achievement.

She made this known during an appearance on the forthcoming episode of ‘With Chude’ hosted by popular on-air personality, Chude Jideonwo.

Ajibade said the players had yet to receive the pledged $100,000 and other entitlements, despite repeated assurances from the relevant authorities.

“We have not received our money oo. Please, they have not paid. All the promises you heard back and forth, we have not received anything,” she said.

Ajibade added that the players had been informed the money had already been allocated but insisted nothing had reached them.

“People are begging. We have not received it. When they pay it, you will see. Even our match bonuses and everything… everything is still a work in progress,” she lamented.