RismadarVoice Reporters
January 15, 2026
More than two months after the House of Representatives resolved to investigate the use of financial grants advanced to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for football development, the House Committee on Sports has yet to submit its findings.
The investigation concerns alleged mismanagement of over $25 million in grants received by the NFF from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025.
The probe followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance at a plenary, co-sponsored by Lagos lawmaker Adedayo Adesola and his Rivers State counterpart, Felix Nwaeke.
The motion, titled “Motion to stop further misuse of FIFA and CAF grants by Nigerian Football Federation,” cited mismanagement of international grants as a key factor in the poor performance of Nigeria’s national teams.
A few months ago, former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh accused the NFF of stifling football development in the country by misappropriating funds, citing the questionable handling of $1 million allocated by FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.
Rather than forming an ad hoc committee as requested in the motion, the House referred the matter to the Committee on Sports on October 28, 2025, for recommendations to guide further legislative actions.
However, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) raised concerns over the delay, questioning why the committee had not yet reported its findings before the House adjourned for the Christmas holidays.
“Nigerians are interested in knowing the outcome of the committee’s findings. It’s over two months now since the Committee on Sports was given the assignment. So, where are we? What are the findings?” the lawmaker asked.
He added that the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico had cost the nation significant earnings in appearance fees and other opportunities.
“Nigerians are passionate about football, it transcends tribe and religion. However, the management of football in our country has left much to be desired. The leadership of the committee should let Nigerians know the details of its findings on the alleged mismanagement of the $25 million. The earlier this is done, the better,” he said.
The issue of mismanagement is not new. In December 2016, FIFA issued an audit query over the handling of a $1.1 million development grant to the NFF, reporting that $802,000 lacked proper documentation. The then Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, subsequently ordered an independent audit and instructed the NFF to account for all receipts and disbursements.
The renewed call for transparency is expected to fuel further scrutiny in the House of Representatives when the National Assembly resumes on January 27, 2026.
