Sports minister Solomon Dalung has announced that FIFA has suspended any grants to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) until the body properly account for $1.1 million.
Dalung also ordered an audit of the finances of the NFF during his speech at Sunday’s Annual General Assembly in Lagos.
“I received a report from the NFF intimating me of FIFA’s audit Report which raised queries on the management of $1.1 Million FIFA’s 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,” reported Dalung.
“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, his excellency, Muhammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise.
“To this end, the NFF is directed to immediately provide to my office with detail 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 so as to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance your market value.”
Despite this claim the NFF has always claimed it is broke and had to be bailed out by the federal government to pay the allowances to the Super Falcons after winning the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON 2016).
