National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko has clarified that FIFA managed all aspects of the $1.19 million mini-stadium project in Birnin-Kebbi, not the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Dikko made these remarks during a Friday interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He addressed public concerns about alleged mismanagement of FIFA development funds by the NFF.
“FIFA handles every project stage from contractor selection to payment,” Dikko stated. “The NFF’s sole responsibility was providing land for construction.”
As Nigeria’s first FIFA Goal project implementer, Dikko emphasized FIFA’s direct management approach. “The NFF only identifies needs and provides land. FIFA appoints and pays contractors directly,” he explained.
This clarification follows public scrutiny after FIFA’s 2023 social media post showed the unfinished Kebbi facility. The image raised questions about $1.2 million Forward Programme funding.
Dikko firmly denied fund mismanagement claims. “No one collected the money,” he asserted. He cited Nigeria’s exchange rate volatility as key to cost discrepancies.
“This project was approved in 2015,” Dikko noted. “Procurement began in 2016 when dollar-naira rates differed significantly from today.”
Documentation delays and land issues stalled progress until 2020. FIFA’s contractor then commenced work under FIFA’s end-to-end supervision.
“FIFA controls tendering through payment without funds touching NFF accounts,” Dikko clarified. “The circulated image showed only phase one of the project.”
The Birnin-Kebbi facility remains under intense scrutiny. It represents ongoing accountability debates surrounding FIFA’s Forward Programme investments in Nigerian sports infrastructure.
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