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Can anyone sustain the allegation of $25m grant misuse against NFF? The House of Representatives recently resolved to set up an investigative committee to probe an alleged misuse of about $25m grants from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over a period. The adoption of the resolution followed a motion co-sponsored by Adedayo Adesola representing Apapa Federal Constituency of Lagos State and Nwaeke Uche representing Ebonyi State constituency. The period under reference is allegedly over a 10 – year period of 2015-2025. The lawmakers allege that the level of sports development is not commensurate with the funds made available over the period. They said that “In December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the handling of a $1.1m development grant to NFF and reported that US$802,000 lacked proper documentations, prompting the then sports minister, Solomon Dalong, to order an independent audit and ask NFF to account for receipts and disbursements”. This was not an isolated case because, “between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials and the then President, Amaju Pinnick, faced public criticism and were subject of EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies”. The most recent controversy is about the $1.2 million which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, Kebbi State. There are allegations that the structure on ground so far is not commensurate with the alleged money sunk into the project. The representatives are demanding accountability from NFF. Football has become a trillion-dollar global business, bringing to the world huge socio-economic gains. It is not called the ‘Beautiful game’ for nothing. Nations under FIFA rules have benefited from the organisational structure of FIFA and other continental affiliates. Football has become as lucrative as it is now a tool for national pride when well-run by federations. Read Also: JUST IN: Court gives Nnamdi Kanu last chance to enter defence or forfeit same It is on this premise that we feel very concerned about the headline of the current controversy. We are here talking about two unrelated stadium projects; one in Nigeria, the other in Kenya, with the former assisted by FIFA. The Kenyan project is being built by the Kenyan government for the 2027 AFCON, costing millions of dollars. The Nigerian Kebbi Township Stadium costs about one per cent of the Kenyan project. While we believe that every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech, Mr. Peter Obi seemingly inferred a shady deal about the Kebbi stadium, citing the Kenyan Stadium cost as though they are on the same scale in cost and circumstance. Even if there is financial impropriety in this particular instance, more information could bring better clarity. The NFF has often performed below average and can often appear financially opaque, but we must not always assume the worst based on a flawed narrative. The federation on its part must be accountable and use all grants from both FIFA and CAF for sports development in a country as blessed as Nigeria. Accountability is the soul of international businesses. Trust is built through such acts of transparency. The scandal around the 2022 Qatar World Cup has so far claimed many football administrators. This shows that FIFA is like Big brother that is always watching. On the part of the law makers, we commend their quest at this time but we also believe that they might have failed in their oversight functions on the sports ministry under which NFF operates. The National Assembly must be more proactive than reactive. Accountability is never based on arrears but is a consistent present action. Probes, especially in a developing country like Nigeria do not often yield the best results, oversight functions help to keep track and put the checks and balances of democracy active and effective. Football as a global sports is fast redefining the socio-economic stands of nations and Nigeria occupies a prime position in the world. As the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is expected. If Morocco and South African federations are seemingly taking their national football infrastructure to the global stage, thereby encouraging development of the game in their countries, Nigeria can do better. Nigeria is seen as the nation in Africa with the greatest influence on national leagues across continents, given her star exports. NFF must, like Caesar’s wife, be above reproach.
