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By Joe Apu
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has clarified that all funds it receives from world football governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are tied to specific projects and not given as free grants or gifts.
In a statement released on Friday, the NFF said the clarification was necessary following widespread misinformation on social media suggesting that the Federation “collects millions of dollars” annually from FIFA as unrestricted funds.
According to the NFF, every allocation from FIFA or CAF is designated for particular programs and subjected to strict monitoring and auditing procedures. Both FIFA and CAF, the statement added, dispatch auditors annually to verify the use of funds and ensure compliance with their financial guidelines.
The Federation explained that monies intended for football development are linked to specific projects, while those under the FIFA Forward initiative must meet rigorous financial, compliance, and auditing standards at every phase.
Highlighting examples of such projects, the NFF pointed to the ongoing construction of the NFF/FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. It noted that each stage of these projects undergoes verification and approval before additional funds are disbursed—directly to FIFA-approved consultants.
The NFF also criticized individuals spreading what it described as “fictitious figures” on social media, urging them to understand the significant costs involved in organizing matches for the country’s various national teams before making unfounded claims.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, the Federation emphasized that it operates within strict financial protocols and global best practices. It noted that its accounts are audited annually by the reputable firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and presented to stakeholders at each Annual General Assembly.
