Table of Contents
- Controversy in Nigeria
- Social Media Response
- Allegations Against NFF
- NFF's Response
- Public Reaction
- Project Cost and Inauguration
- FIFA's Official Comment
FIFA has sparked controversy in Nigeria after featuring an image of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, a facility funded by FIFA and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as the new profile banner on its official social media accounts.
The image, depicting the partially completed mini-stadium in Kebbi State, quickly gained traction on social media, especially on X, on Saturday, igniting discussions about alleged mismanagement of funds intended for grassroots football development.
This project, initiated in 2020 under the FIFA Forward Programme, was a collaborative effort between FIFA and the NFF.
However, users on social media interpreted FIFA’s post as a subtle critique of the NFF amidst renewed allegations of corruption.
Football analyst Chinedu Mobike previously accused the NFF of misappropriating $1.2 million allocated for two FIFA-supported stadiums in Kebbi and Ugborodo, Delta State. In a viral video, he asserted that the projects remained unfinished despite the funds being disbursed.
On October 24, the NFF released a statement denying these allegations, asserting that all FIFA and CAF funds are linked to specific projects and are audited regularly. They also dismissed the figures circulating online as “fictitious,” emphasizing that all FIFA Forward projects adhere to global compliance standards.
Despite this clarification, FIFA’s social media post reignited public criticism, with many Nigerians perceiving it as an embarrassment to the nation's football administration.
While some defended FIFA’s action as recognition of a development project, others viewed it as a veiled message underscoring inefficiency and poor accountability within the NFF.
The Birnin Kebbi mini-stadium project, reportedly costing $1.18 million, was inaugurated in 2023 by Governor Nasir Idris, with FIFA stating it is part of its commitment to promoting grassroots football in Nigeria.
As of the time of writing, FIFA has not provided any official statement regarding the reasoning behind using the Kebbi stadium image on its social media banner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the controversy surrounding FIFA's social media post?
The controversy arose after FIFA used an image of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium as a profile banner, which many interpreted as a critique of the NFF amid allegations of mismanagement of funds for grassroots football development.
What are the allegations against the NFF?
The NFF has been accused of mishandling $1.2 million allocated for the construction of two FIFA-backed stadiums, with claims that the projects remain incomplete despite the release of funds.
How did the NFF respond to the allegations?
The NFF issued a statement denying the allegations, asserting that all funds are tied to specific projects and are regularly audited, and labeled the circulating figures as “fictitious.”
