Two well-known Nigerian politicians, Peter Obi and Dino Melaye, have criticised the misuse of money sent by FIFA to Nigeria for football projects. FIFA had reportedly given both Nigeria and Kenya $1.2 million each to build stadiums that would help grow football. While Kenya used the money for its project, there is little to show for what Nigeria received.
Former senator Dino Melaye expressed anger over the issue, saying it shows how badly corruption has eaten into the country’s system.
FIFA gave Nigeria $1.2 million and they gave Kenya $1.2 million. The goal was for both of them to build stadiums for football development,” he wrote. “Our moral fabric is gone. We celebrate rogues, we honor thieves. Up APC.”
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State, also shared his thoughts in a long post titled “Corruption in Sports: A Reflection of Nigeria’s Deeper Malaise.” He said the story of how FIFA money was handled by Nigerian officials was “sickening and shameful.”
Obi explained that when he was governor, officials from the Sports Federation told him that FIFA had picked Awka as one of six cities to get a FIFA-standard stadium. The state provided land, but the project never took off. “That was the last we heard of it,” he said. He added that his government later built the Awka Stadium on its own because nothing came from the promised FIFA project.
Obi said since 2013, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had received about $25 million from FIFA and CAF for football and youth development, yet there is very little to show for it. He described the so-called $1.2 million stadium in Kebbi State as “a national embarrassment.”
He also spoke against those who accuse people of “demarketing” Nigeria when they expose corruption.
The real people damaging Nigeria’s image are the corrupt leaders who steal public money meant for schools, healthcare, and youth development,” he said.
Both Obi and Melaye called for proper investigation into how the money was spent. They said Nigeria must stop celebrating corrupt leaders and start holding them accountable. Obi added that if Nigeria truly wants progress, honesty and transparency must guide all sectors, including sports.
Their comments have sparked fresh debate about how corruption continues to block progress in the country, even in areas meant to inspire and unite young people like football.
