Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has refuted allegations of misappropriation of the $1.2 million FIFA fund allocated for the construction of a mini-stadium in Kebbi State.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Dikko clarified that no individual or organization in Nigeria collected the funds, emphasizing that FIFA directly managed every aspect of the project.
“That is where people are getting it wrong; no one collected the money. I’m not here to defend the NFF; they can defend themselves. But as the leader of sports in Nigeria, what happens to the NFF affects the entire sports ecosystem,” he said.
Explaining FIFA’s project structure, Dikko stated that the global football body appoints consultants, supervises procurement, and pays contractors directly. “Nobody collected the money because FIFA manages its projects directly. The NFF’s role is to provide the land and state what they want. FIFA then appoints consultants, goes through procurement, and pays the contractor directly,” he added.
Dikko clarified that the project’s initial valuation was based on 2015 rates, amounting to about ₦300 million, not the current equivalent of $1.2 million. He revealed that the project faced delays due to land acquisition and documentation issues, with the contract eventually signed in 2020.
He further noted that the viral photos circulating online only depicted the first phase of the project, urging Nigerians not to misjudge it based on incomplete visuals. “Before the project was signed, there was a public tender and procurement process. People just see a picture and assume it’s incomplete,” he said.
The mini-stadium, located in Birnin Kebbi, was funded under FIFA’s Forward Programme but has been criticized over its perceived low quality. The backlash intensified after FIFA featured the stadium’s image on its official banner, sparking public outrage and demands for accountability.
Dikko maintained that FIFA remains solely responsible for executing the project, reiterating that all procedures were transparent and in line with international standards. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Sports has launched an investigation into the NFF’s handling of FIFA and CAF development grants, with the Kebbi project serving as a key case in the probe.
What You Should Know
Shehu Dikko clarified that the $1.2 million FIFA fund for the Kebbi mini-stadium was never accessed by the NFF or any Nigerian agency, as FIFA handled the project directly.
He emphasized that the project’s valuation dates back to 2015 and that ongoing criticism stems from misunderstandings about its phased development.
The House of Representatives Committee on Sports is currently investigating the management of FIFA and CAF development funds, with the Kebbi stadium project at the center of the inquiry.
