How NFF failed to deliver promised FIFA-funded stadium in Anambra – Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for allegedly failing to fulfill its promise of constructing a FIFA-funded stadium in Anambra State.

Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Obi expressed disappointment over reports suggesting that funds provided by FIFA for grassroots football development and stadium projects were mismanaged by the federation.

The former Anambra State governor lamented that such alleged misuse of funds meant to promote sports development reflects the deep-rooted issues of corruption and poor accountability that have long hindered Nigeria’s progress in various sectors.

To Obi, “officials from the Sports Federation” informed him when he was governor of Anambra that the state’s capital had been selected for a FIFA project.

The former governor said the officials claimed Akwa had been earmarked as “one of six geographical locations for the construction of a FIFA-standard stadium to be fully funded by FIFA”.

“We immediately allocated land for that purpose, and they assured us that the project would be executed through the Federal Ministry of Sports. That was the last we heard of it,” he said.

“Believing that such a major project was underway, we channelled our resources toward constructing mini-stadiums across the state to encourage grassroots sports.

“We commissioned the Chuba Ikpeazu Memorial Stadium in Onitsha, as well as the Godwin Achebe Stadium in Onitsha South, among others.

Obi added that “nothing came of the promised FIFA project” and that his administration had the stadium itself.

The former presidential candidate said he is disappointed by the “blatant squandering of opportunities” for Nigerian youth.

He then added that a further probe into the allegation against NFF “will reveal even worse realities than what we currently know”.

On Friday, the NFF said that all funds received from FIFA and CAF are audited annually by external auditors.

The federation added that the funds are tied to specific purposes “under strict adherence to financial regulations, compliance, monitoring and auditing at every stage of the project or programme”.