Lawmaker Slams Delay in Probe of $25m FIFA–CAF Grants to NFF
A member of the House of Representatives, Adedayo Adesola, has criticised the delay in investigating the alleged misuse of over $25m in development grants received by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
More than two months after the House resolved to probe the utilisation of the funds, the House Committee on Sports has yet to submit its report or present its findings, raising concerns over transparency and accountability in football administration.
The House had, in October 2025, adopted a motion of urgent public importance calling for an investigation into FIFA and CAF grants disbursed to the NFF between 2015 and 2025. The motion was co-sponsored by Adesola, who represents Apapa Federal Constituency, Lagos State, and his Rivers State counterpart, Felix Nwaeke.
Titled “Motion to Stop Further Misuse of FIFA and CAF Grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” Adesola warned that alleged mismanagement of the grants had contributed to the declining performance of Nigeria’s national teams in recent years.
According to the motion, the NFF allegedly received development funds in excess of $25m within the 10-year period, with little evidence of commensurate investment in grassroots football, infrastructure, or technical development to justify the huge inflow.
The allegations had earlier been echoed by former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, who accused the NFF of stifling football development through the misappropriation of grants from FIFA and CAF. Oliseh cited the questionable handling of $1m reportedly released by FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.
On October 28, 2025, the House resolved not to constitute an ad hoc committee as proposed in the motion, but instead referred the matter to the House Committee on Sports, mandating it to investigate the allegations and make recommendations for further legislative action.
However, the absence of a report several weeks after the referral has drawn criticism, with Adesola faulting the delay and urging the committee to expedite its assignment in order to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s football system.
Stakeholders have warned that continued inaction could weaken public confidence in the National Assembly’s oversight responsibilities and further erode trust in the management of football development funds in the country.
