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Investigation

FIFA: NFF Show ‘Lack of Transparency, Control’ On $2.5 Million Grant

It can be revealed that FIFA have for the past three years stopped paying Nigeria development grants after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) displayed “lack of transparency and control” on how they spent $2,595,000 for that purpose.

As part of their primary objective to promote football around the world, FIFA provide development funds to member associations.

These monies are to be spent on youth football, technical development, football infrastructure and events.

In the case of the NFF, this sum of money was due to the country over eight years after both former presidents Sani Lulu and Ibrahim Maigari did not access with the hope to have a befitting secretariat for the federation.

In a most damning query titled ‘Central Review 2015 – Key Findings Report’, FIFA disagreed with the disbursement and proper accounting of the money.

“In performing the described procedures, we detected circumstances, which may indicate or lead to a misuse of funds (defined as cases where the use of FIFA Development Funds could not be traced to supporting documentation or the use was not aligned with the FIFA prescribed purposes) or other non-compliance with FIFA regulations,” FIFA communicated to NFF.

“Corrective action should be taken within 12 months in accordance with FIFA”

FIFA variously remarked in the query:

“Lack of transparency over the use of FIFA Development Funds.”

“Lack of control over disbursements of FIFA Development Funds.”

“Management (in this case the NFF) is unable to demonstrate that there has not been fraudulent use of FIFA Development Funds.”

On October 20, 2016, the NFF via a letter Ref No: NFF/PRESIDENT/GEN/Vol.II/057 signed by General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi responded to the FIFA query.

It was lame and rather patronising.

“…we will work with our Auditors (we have already commenced  consultations) and Financial Consultants with a view to entrenching a new Financial Reporting System with regards to accountability and probity,” the NFF letter admitted in part.

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