The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Sport to investigate the NFF over alleged misappropriation of FIFA, CAF funds
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over alleged misappropriation of millions of dollars received from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Adedayo Adesola (APC, Lagos) during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
After deliberation, the House mandated the Committee on Sports to investigate all funds received by the NFF from FIFA, CAF, and other sources from 2015 to date.
It also resolved to invite the NFF leadership—past and present—to appear before the committee with full records of funds received, disbursed, and projects executed.
The committee is further expected to recommend measures to enhance transparency, accountability, and restore public confidence in the management of Nigeria’s football affairs.
Presenting the motion, Rep. Adesola recalled a series of financial controversies that have dogged the NFF over the years, including the alleged mismanagement of the $1 million FIFA support fund released to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup, which he said “was never properly accounted for.”
He further revealed that between 2015 and 2025, the NFF received over $25 million in developmental grants from FIFA and CAF “with little or no tangible outcomes to justify the huge inflows.
“In December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query to the NFF over the misappropriation of the $1.1 million development grant, and it was reported that $802,000 lacked proper documentation,” Rep. Adesola stated. “This prompted then Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, to order an independent audit and demand accountability for the disbursements.”
The lawmaker also cited a recent viral report alleging that the NFF spent $1.2 million on the construction of a stadium in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state, which was later found to be substandard and non-compliant with international standards.
He lamented that despite multiple audits, probes, and investigations by anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC, there had been “little accountability or meaningful reform” in the federation’s financial operations.
Call for Fresh Investigation
With major international competitions approaching, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup playoffs, Rep. Adesola urged the House to act swiftly to prevent further misuse of public and donor funds.
“With another African Cup of Nations around the corner and World Cup playoffs waiting in the wings involving our national team, there is a need to take decisive action to stop further misuse of public funds by the leadership of NFF,” he said.
He also proposed the creation of a special ad-hoc investigative audit committee, arguing that public sentiment suggested a lack of confidence in the existing House Committee on Sports to carry out an impartial investigation.
However, Speaker Abbas questioned whether a new ad-hoc committee was necessary when a standing committee already oversees sports matters.
Responding, Rep. Adesola maintained that “the sentiment on the streets and on social media” indicated widespread skepticism about the sports committee’s impartiality.
But Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu opposed the creation of a new panel, warning that such a move could undermine the mandate and morale of standing committees.
“We must be cautious not to weaken our standing committees by frequently creating ad hoc ones for issues that already fall within their purview,” Kalu cautioned. “The sports committee under its new leadership has shown energy, diligence, and results.”
Kalu’s amendment that the matter be referred to the standing committee on sports was eventually adopted by the House.
