Outrage As NFF, Kebbi Govt Trade Blame On FIFA Project

A wave of social media outrage has greeted the controversy surrounding the ownership and funding of the FIFA-sponsored stadium in Birnin-Kebbi, following revelations that the facility belongs to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and not the Kebbi State Government.

The Kebbi State Football Association chairman, Abubakar Ladan, had clarified that the state only provided land for the project, while the NFF manages and operates the stadium. But that explanation has sparked a storm of criticism online, as Nigerians accuse the football body of lacking transparency over FIFA and CAF funds.

The debate intensified after football critic Big Bird, known as @C_Mobike, alleged that the NFF received about $10 million under the FIFA Forward Programme since 2016, yet showed little progress in football infrastructure or grassroots development.

Below are 12 major reactions from Nigerians as gathered across social media platforms:

@ABinBeta wrote: “Everybody don dey commot hand. Then dey push am to each other.”

@NigeriaStories commented: “We will keep informing Nigerians about this case 🤝.”

@rich_aed questioned: “My question is; is this everything? Where are the stands, parking space, and gates? Or should we watch matches from pickup trucks?”

@nzeogaziri added: “They should mount a billboard warning visitors that comfort and shade are at their own risk. Yet, people still think NFF is putting Nigeria on the global map.”

@Tapto_earn remarked: “Of course, it’s under NFF management. That’s the safest way to make sure nobody ever sees where the money really went.”

@ogabahaushe lamented: “So NFF owns the stadium but Kebbi gave the land — typical Nigerian deal. One person works, another chops.”

@Abdull_saddiq wrote: “The past Kebbi government is dodging this issue. We just want to know who pocketed the $1.5 million.”

@UnmatchedPapi mocked: “Chairman say, ‘My hand no dey o!’ So who’s managing the place now?”

@Eche_afc said: “When Luton got promoted, they rebuilt their stadium to meet standards. And this is what we call FIFA standard?”

@simplemach joked: “Even the land was free, yet NFF spent $1.2 million. So the money went to plant grass and draw lines?”

@odimegwu_paul wrote: “Free land, yet millions vanished. Someone must explain how this pitch cost that much.”

@Atobajaye25 added: “Why hasn’t that NFF board been dissolved? They’ve become a complete embarrassment to Nigeria.”

Despite the uproar, the NFF maintained in a statement that the funds were strictly audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and could only be used for approved FIFA projects.

Meanwhile, critics insist that the explanations do not address questions about the facility’s poor infrastructure and lack of accountability.

As @TheRealGulu summed it up: “What kind of stadium is this without seats or stands? The NFF should do better.”

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