Amaju Pinnick, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Football Federation, has dismissed allegations of financial impropriety concerning the FIFA Goal Project in Kebbi State, characterizing the situation as a misunderstanding.
His statement follows widespread criticism after FIFA posted an image on social media displaying the Kebbi Stadium under the FIFA Forward Programme.
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The photograph, captured in 2023, showed an incomplete facility and sparked outrage among Nigerians questioning how the allocated $1.2 million was utilized.
Recall earlier reported that the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadu, clarified that the Federation of International Football Associations does not build or construct standard stadiums for nations, contrary to public expectations surrounding the controversial Kebbi Stadium project.
During an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, Pinnick maintained that the project was handled transparently, noting that FIFA’s rigorous financial oversight guarantees appropriate fund usage.
“If FIFA gives you their money, they audit their money, they know A to Z, and they have standards. So if the contract was about 1.1 million dollars, 1.1 million dollars in 2020, how much was it in naira? Less than 400 million naira. That’s what people don’t know.
“Everything went according to plan. And even in the contract, I can share it; it was stated clearly that there was no variation. COVID came, and after COVID, you started building your workers on site and COVID, and everybody had to go. There was no additional dime to the contract, no variation, even in spite of COVID. There was a time in Nigerian football, I said, listen, you can hate Amaju Pinnick but love Nigerian football. Love Nigerian football.”
Pinnick urged Nigerians to verify facts before making judgments, highlighting that his administration is committed to accountability and the growth of football in the country. “So I just want to appeal, let us get our facts right before we come out to the public and start saying things,” he added.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives decided on Tuesday to establish a special committee to examine FIFA and Confederation of African Football grants totaling $25 million that were provided to the NFF.