The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is facing fresh allegations of misusing FIFA funds, raising new questions about how football is managed in the country.
The controversy started after former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, said on the Home Turf podcast that the NFF kept $1 million meant for players after Nigeria qualified for the 2002 World Cup. According to him, the money never reached the players, and many who helped the team qualify were later dropped from the tournament squad.
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This claim sparked anger among Nigerian football fans, who took to social media — especially X (formerly Twitter) — to accuse the NFF of poor management of funds from FIFA and CAF. Fans also pointed to bad stadium conditions and the fact that no Nigerian referees were chosen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as signs of the federation’s failure.
A major focus has been the Birnin Kebbi Mini Stadium, which FIFA recently promoted online. Many Nigerians criticised it for being below standard despite the large amounts of money said to have been spent on it.
The NFF responded by saying it uses funds for specific purposes and is audited every year — but it has not shared detailed reports with the public, increasing calls for transparency and reform.
Sports journalist Wale Agbede questioned how the NFF has used about $25 million received over the last ten years.
“It’s hard to see any project the NFF started and finished,” he said. “We can’t tell if they’ve been honest or not.”
Meanwhile, Kebbi State FA Chairman, Abubakar Ladan, said the stadium’s management is handled by the NFF, though the state government provided the land. He added that the stadium, opened in 2023, has hosted several competitions like the 2024 Governor’s Cup and National League One matches.
However, many Nigerians still believe the money used for the project does not match the stadium’s quality. They are now demanding an investigation into the NFF’s financial practices.
“In other countries, such issues lead to committees or panels being set up,” Agbede said. “Nigeria should do the same.”
As pressure mounts, the future of Nigerian football remains uncertain. Fans and experts are urging the NFF to come clean, rebuild trust, and focus on real football development across the country.