FIFA to Reportedly Probe $1.2 Million Stadium Project in Kebbi State

 

By Chimaobi Jose Nzoromobi 

The world football governing body, FIFA, is reportedly set to launch an investigation into the $1.2 million (₦1.75 billion) stadium project built in partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Kebbi State, under the FIFA Forward development program.

According to reports, FIFA’s Compliance and Governance Department raised concerns over the implementation process following public outage over transparency and quality of the project, which was funded through the FIFA Forward 2.0 initiative designed to assist member associations with infrastructure and football development.

The Kebbi mini-stadium, earmarked as one of Nigeria’s key grassroots football infrastructure projects, has drawn public criticism over its slow completion pace and questionable standard, despite the large sum reportedly allocated for its construction.

Sources close to the matter indicate that FIFA’s audit team may conduct an on-site assessment to verify whether the funds were appropriately utilized and if the project meets the minimum FIFA Forward compliance standards.

This development comes amid increasing scrutiny of the NFF’s financial accountability, following revelations surrounding unexplained expenditures in women’s football programs and administrative costs captured in recent FIFA financial reports.

Football governance observers say the investigation could have broader implications for Nigeria’s access to future FIFA development grants if any mismanagement or breach of funding guidelines is established.

Meanwhile, the NFF has yet to issue an official statement regarding the reported probe.

The Kebbi State stadium was one of several projects initiated under the FIFA Forward program to improve football infrastructure across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, but critics argue that transparency and quality control have remained persistent issues.