A federal lawmaker has faulted the House of Representatives Committee on Sports for failing to submit its report on the alleged misuse of football development grants given to the Nigerian Football Federation, more than two months after the House mandated the probe.
The House had, in October 2025, resolved to investigate the utilisation of about $25m reportedly received by the NFF from the Federation of International Football Association and the Confederation of African Football between 2015 and 2025. The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance co-sponsored by Adedayo Adesola, who represents Apapa Federal Constituency in Lagos State, and Felix Nwaeke from Rivers State.
The motion, titled “Motion to stop further misuse of FIFA and CAF grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” alleged that persistent mismanagement of the grants was a major factor behind the poor performances of Nigeria’s national teams in recent years.
Concerns over the handling of football funds had earlier been raised by former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh, who accused the NFF of undermining football development through the misappropriation of FIFA and CAF grants. Oliseh specifically referenced the controversial management of $1m released by FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.
According to the motion, the NFF received more than $25m in development funds within a decade, with little evidence of commensurate investment in grassroots or elite football development.
On October 28, 2025, the House resolved to refer the matter to the Committee on Sports for recommendations, rather than set up an ad hoc committee as initially proposed. The committee was given four weeks to submit its report but failed to do so before the House adjourned for the Christmas and New Year recess in December 2025.
Speaking with PUNCH Online on Thursday, Adesola expressed concern over the silence surrounding the assignment, questioning why no update had been provided before the House went on break.
“Nigerians are interested in knowing the outcome of the committee’s findings. It’s over two months now since the Committee on Sports was given the assignment. So, where are we? What are the findings?” he asked.
The APC lawmaker also linked administrative failures in football management to the Super Eagles’ inability to qualify for the upcoming World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, noting that the country had lost substantial revenue and international exposure as a result.
“Nigerians are passionate about football. It cuts across tribe and religion. Sadly, the administration of the game in recent years has been disappointing. Missing the World Cup is largely due to administrative lapses, and the losses are difficult to quantify,” he said.
Adesola urged the committee to make its findings public without further delay, insisting that transparency was critical in restoring confidence in football governance.
“The leadership of the committee should let Nigerians know the details of its findings on the alleged mismanagement of the $25m. The earlier this is done, the better,” he added.
The controversy over NFF finances is not new. In December 2016, FIFA issued an audit query over the handling of a $1.1m development grant to the federation, noting that $802,000 was not properly accounted for. The development prompted the then Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, to order an independent audit and demand detailed financial records from the NFF.
Adesola’s renewed intervention is expected to reignite legislative scrutiny when the National Assembly resumes plenary on January 27, 2026.
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