NFF Takes Full Control of Birnin Kebbi FIFA Stadium, Says State FA Boss
The Kebbi State Football Association (FA) has confirmed that the FIFA-standard stadium in Birnin Kebbi is fully managed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), putting to rest speculations about its ownership and control.
FA Chairman, Abubakar Ladan, made the clarification in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday following social media controversy triggered by FIFA’s recent post featuring the facility.
According to Ladan, the Kebbi State Government only provided four hectares of land to meet FIFA’s siting requirements, but the project itself is administered directly by the NFF.
“The Kebbi State Government provided the land for the construction of the FIFA Stadium as one of the prerequisites for bringing the project to the state,” he explained.
“However, the management, maintenance and overall administration of the facility are the sole responsibility of the NFF.”
He said the stadium, completed and inaugurated by FIFA officials in 2023, has since become an active sporting hub in the state.
It currently serves as the home ground for Kebbi United FC, while Zamfara United FC temporarily used the arena during the last football season.
“Since commissioning, the venue has hosted several competitions, including the 2024 Governor’s Cup and National League One matches in both Division One and Two,” Ladan said.
“We have also welcomed two European scouting missions and various football development programmes.”
He disclosed that the NFF appointed a resident manager and support staff to oversee the day-to-day running of the stadium, while the state government occasionally assists with infrastructural upgrades.
“The state government does not run the stadium but has helped improve its facilities by fencing the main pitch with wire mesh to make it fit for local competitions,” he noted.
Ladan commended the state government for its continued investment in grassroots football and described the stadium as one of the most functional facilities built under FIFA’s Forward Programme.
“The stadium is in excellent condition and has become a rallying point for players and fans in Kebbi and beyond,” he said.
His remarks followed widespread public debate after FIFA updated its official social media banner with an image of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium.
The photo, captured during the project’s construction phase, went viral on Saturday and drew mixed reactions from Nigerians questioning the state of football infrastructure in the country.
FIFA later clarified that the stadium was one of several projects completed under its Forward Programme, designed to strengthen football development across member nations.
