ABUJA – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) did not receive or manage the $1.19 million FIFA grant for the Birnin-Kebbi stadium project, according to National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko.
The clarification comes amid public outcry and a legislative investigation into the use of FIFA funds, sparked by a 2023 photo showing an unfinished structure.
Dikko explained that under FIFA’s direct management system, the global body appoints and pays contractors directly.
“No one collected the money,” Dikko stated during a television interview. “FIFA manages its projects directly. The job of NFF is to provide the land.”
He attributed the project’s perceived low value to Nigeria’s volatile exchange rate, noting the grant was approved in 2015 but delayed until 2020. Dikko also clarified that the widely circulated photo only showed the first phase, which was completed as agreed.
The House of Representatives Committee on Sports is currently investigating the NFF’s handling of all FIFA and CAF grants.
©CDA News
Disclaimer: This article is based on statements made by Shehu Dikko in a televised interview. The claims and assertions are those of the official and have not been independently verified by CDA News. The investigation by the House of Representatives is ongoing.
