The Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadu, has explained that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) does not build or construct standard stadiums for any country, contrary to widespread beliefs surrounding the $1.2 million Kebbi Stadium project.
Amadu made this clarification on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television, following public criticism over a viral image showing the half-completed FIFA-funded facility in Kebbi State.
He stated that FIFA only provides football development grants to its member associations, which may be utilised for initiatives such as mini-stadiums, coaching programmes, or grassroots football projects.
“According to FIFA’s rules, the body cannot build or construct a standard stadium for any nation. FIFA only supports football development through its grants,” he said.
This clarification came after public outrage erupted when FIFA, in a social media post, displayed the Kebbi mini-stadium built under its FIFA Forward Programme, prompting Nigerians to question how the $1.2 million allocation was utilised.
While the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has maintained that all FIFA funds are duly accounted for, many Nigerians have continued to express doubts about transparency and the execution of the project.
Amadu also rejected comparisons between the Kebbi facility and Kenya’s more sophisticated stadium, emphasising that such a development would require significantly more than the approved amount.
“There is no way $1.2 million can construct that kind of stadium in today’s economy,” he stated. “Member associations may use the funds for mini-stadiums, training, or other developmental programmes, not world-class facilities.”
The House of Representatives had earlier declared its intention to investigate the FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) grants amounting to $25 million received by the NFF.
