Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has dismissed allegations that the $1.2 million FIFA fund allocated for the construction of a mini-stadium in Kebbi State was diverted.
Dikko, who spoke during a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, on Friday, insisted that no Nigerian official or the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) handled the money, saying FIFA solely managed the project financing and implementation.
He explained that the controversy surrounding the stadium stemmed from misinformation about how FIFA’s Forward Programme operates.
“Nobody collected the money. FIFA manages its projects directly — they appoint consultants, supervise procurement, and pay contractors. The NFF only provides land and indicates what it wants,” he stated
The mini-stadium in Birnin Kebbi recently drew public outrage when images of the ongoing structure surfaced online, prompting criticism over its perceived value and level of completion. Lawmakers have since launched a probe into FIFA and CAF development grants received by the NFF.
Addressing claims that the project was inflated, Dikko clarified that the budget was approved in 2015 when the naira exchanged significantly better against the dollar.
“This project is not $1.2 million of today. In 2015, the value was about ₦300 million. People must understand the timeline,” he explained.
He added that delays in securing land and completing paperwork meant procurement only began in 2016, while the contract was finalised in 2020 after public tendering.
Dikko also explained that the structure seen in circulating pictures represents only the first phase of the project, noting that completion work is ongoing under FIFA’s supervision.
The Kebbi mini-stadium became a major talking point after FIFA featured it in a development programme banner, triggering social media reactions and calls for accountability.
The House of Representatives Committee on Sports has since opened investigations into funds meant for Nigerian football development, with the Kebbi project emerging as a focal point.
Despite the uproar, Dikko maintained that the project followed international procurement standards and that no fund was misused.
“We need to set the records straight. What affects the NFF affects the entire sports ecosystem. The project is transparent and handled by FIFA from start to finish,” he said.
The NSC chairman urged Nigerians to await the outcome of the ongoing legislative probe, expressing confidence that the facts will vindicate the process.
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