Minister wants NFF to investigate FIFA’s query on $1.1m grant

Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has asked the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to investigate an alleged diversion of a $1.1 million FIFA development grant to the federation.

Speaking at the NFF annual general assembly yesterday, the minister said he was taken aback when he saw FIFA’s audit report of $1.1m FIFA development grant to the NFF.

“According to the report, FIFA has withheld all development funds to Nigeria for lack of proper documentation of $802,000 out of the funds released to NFF.

“This is a very serious issue that must be given urgent attention to avoid another international embarrassment, more so that the present administration under the leadership of Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise.”

He directed the NFF to provide the Ministry of Youth and Sports with detailed 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 to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance your market value,” Dalung said.

Dalung urged the football family to consolidate on the gains of the successes recorded so far, saying the country cannot afford to gamble with anything that will thwart the collective resolve to deliver the World Cup ticket to Nigeria.