National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko on Friday clarified that FIFA, not the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), directly managed the $1.19 million Birnin-Kebbi mini-stadium project under its Forward Programme, countering allegations of fund mismanagement amid a House probe into NFF’s handling of international grants.

Speaking on Channels Television, Dikko emphasized FIFA’s hands-on role, noting the global body appointed and paid contractors while the NFF’s sole responsibility was to provide land. “FIFA manages its projects directly… the job of NFF is to provide the land,” he said.

Approved in 2015 and tendered in 2016, the project faced delays due to land documentation issues and naira-dollar fluctuations. Construction began in 2020 after contract signing. Dikko explained that the $1.19 million figure reflects current exchange rates, not the original budget, and attributed the modest appearance of the facility in FIFA’s 2023 social media post to its phased rollout.

The image, which showed an unfinished structure, sparked public outrage and accusations of fund diversion. Dikko dismissed the claims, stating, “No one collected the money,” and reiterated that FIFA handled procurement, supervision, and payments.

The House Sports Committee has since launched an inquiry into NFF’s use of FIFA and CAF allocations, with the Kebbi stadium project at the center. NFF officials have yet to comment, but Dikko urged the public to focus on project completion rather than assumptions based on photos. “People see a picture and assume it’s incomplete,” he said.

As Nigeria pushes for grassroots football revival, the controversy highlights the need for transparency and accountability in sports infrastructure funding.