December 20 – Nigeria’s sports minister has called for a “reputable audit” of the national FA, constantly embroiled in financial troubles, over claims of irregularities in the use of FIFA grants.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has denied claims by Solomon Dalung that there is $802,000 unaccounted for in its finances.
According to local reports, the discrepancy has led to FIFA halting its annual $1.1 million grant to Nigeria.
The federation insists there was nothing dubious during an earlier audit and that “the minister was clearly misinformed about the activities of the NFF board”.
But Dalung, who was speaking at the NFF’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos, wants a fresh audit of federation finances to examine how FIFA money was awarded and spent.
“According to a report, FIFA has withheld all development funds to Nigeria for lack of proper documentation of $802,000 out of the funds released to NFF,” said Dalung.
“This is a very serious issue that must be given urgent attention to avoid another international embarrassment.
“Even more so that the present administration under the leadership of Mr. President, His Excellency, Mohammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise. To this end, the NFF is directed to immediately provide my office with detail information of receipt, disbursement and application of the FIFA development grant accordingly.
“In addition, a reputable audit firm should be appointed urgently to check the account books of the federation to ensure that funds are judiciously expended.
“The audit report must be made public so as to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance your market value.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s women’s team have ended a 10-day protest sit-in at a hotel in Abuja after being paid money owed to them.
They were demanding $23,650 per player from the Nigeria Football Federation for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“The players have all left the hotel in Abuja after they started receiving payments alerts,” the team’s media officer Remi Sulola told the BBC.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714125720labto1714125720ofdlr1714125720owedi1714125720sni@w1714125720ahsra1714125720w.wer1714125720dna1714125720