Peter Obi Faults NFF Over Alleged Mismanagement Of FIFA Funds

The former candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over the alleged mismanagement of the funds secured by the Nigeria Football Federation from the global football body, FIFA, aimed at stadium development and youth talent growth.

Obi, in a statement via his official X handle, condemned the board, describing the stadium reportedly constructed in Kebbi State as “so-called $1.2 million stadium in Kebbi State is a national embarrassment.”

Obi also reflected on a meeting he had with the NFF board during his time as a governor of Anambra State, a meeting he claimed catapulted his decision to embark on projects to champion the state’s recognition in sports.

He wrote, “FIFA’s recent revelation about the mismanagement of funds released to Nigeria’s Football Federation for stadium development and youth talent growth is both sickening and shameful. It perfectly mirrors the broader decay in how our scarce national resources are handled. I am certain that further investigations will reveal even worse realities than what we currently know.

“I recall vividly that during my time as Governor of Anambra State, I received officials from the Sports Federation who visited and informed us that Awka had been selected as one of six geographical locations for the construction of a FIFA-standard stadium to be fully funded by FIFA. We immediately allocated land for that purpose, and they assured us that the project would be executed through the Federal Ministry of Sports. That was the last we heard of it.”

It added, “Believing that such a major project was underway, we channelled our resources toward constructing mini-stadiums across the state to encourage grassroots sports. We commissioned the Chuba Ikpeazu Memorial Stadium in Onitsha, as well as the Godwin Achebe Stadium in Onitsha South, among others.”

“Years later, nothing came of the promised FIFA project, which prompted us to initiate the construction of the Awka Stadium ourselves. Seeing the recent news about funds released by FIFA to Nigeria to develop talent and improve youth sports, I am deeply disappointed by such blatant squandering of opportunities.

“Since 2013, about $25 million has reportedly been received by the NFF from FIFA and CAF – funds meant for the development of football and youth sports in our country. Yet, there is little or nothing to show for it. The so-called $1.2 million stadium in Kebbi State is a national embarrassment. The structure in no way reflects the funds claimed to have been spent on it,” the statement concluded.