Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, has strongly denied allegations of misappropriation surrounding the $1.2 million FIFA Goal Project in Kebbi State.
Speaking on ARISE News, the former NFF boss described the accusations as “completely misconstrued,” insisting that the FIFA-funded project was transparent, fully audited, and executed under FIFA’s global financial oversight.
“If FIFA gives you their money, they audit that money. They know everything from A to Z, and they have standards,” he said. “So, if the contract was about $1.1 million in 2020, how much was that in naira? Less than ₦400 million. That’s what people don’t realize.”
FIFA goal Project in Kebbi. Photo Credit: NFF/X
Pinnick added that the project faced delays due to COVID-19 but was completed without any change in cost.
“Everything went according to plan. And even in the contract, I can share it — it was stated clearly that there was no variation,” he said. “COVID came, and everybody had to go. There was no additional dime to the contract, no variation, even in spite of COVID.”
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He also appealed to Nigerians to verify facts before drawing conclusions, saying his administration prioritised accountability and football development.
“So I just want to appeal: let us get our facts right before we come out to the public and start saying things,” Pinnick added.
“There was a time in Nigerian football I said, listen, you can hate Amaju Pinnick, but love Nigerian football. Love Nigerian football.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Amaju Pinnick. Photo Credit: X
However, the House of Representatives has set up a special committee to investigate FIFA and CAF grants totalling $25 million given to the NFF.
Speaking to Channels Television, the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadu, clarified FIFA’s funding policy.
“FIFA cannot construct a stadium for any nation. FIFA only has a football development grant for you to choose what to do with,” Amadu said.
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The FIFA Goal Project is part of a worldwide initiative to improve football infrastructure. Although several facilities in Nigeria have faced scrutiny, Pinnick maintained that the Kebbi project was “properly executed and fully audited in line with FIFA standards.”.
