How NFF Received N3b In Two Years From FG - Investigation Reveals

How NFF Received N3b In Two Years From FG - Investigation Reveals 

By Niyi Busari

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have received Two Billion, nine hundred and ninety-four Million naira (N2, 994, 000, 000) from the Federal Government (FG) in the last two years, BSN Sports can authoritatively report.  

An Independent investigation in review of the last two years, by BSN Sports also uncovered that the FG through Ministry of Finance released Seven hundred and fifty Million (N750m) in April 2021, with another seven hundred forty four Million (N744,000,000) in August, and also another One billion and Five hundred Million naira (N1,500,000,000) in February, 2022. This means that the Federal Government has released Two billion, nine hundred and-four Million naira (N2,994,000,000) paid directly into the NFF account in the last 15 months.

Upon asking, meanwhile, the country's football body under the leadership of President Amaju Pinnick often claimed that there is no money in their coffers, hence the offering of the triumphant Golden Eaglets players, who conquered the West African Football Union WAFU B U17 Championship a paltry forty thousand Naira (N40,000) each. 

Inspite of its financial support, Pinnick led board never came out to acknowledge the Federal Government as he had over time, boasted to FIFA President, Gianni Infantino about raising funds to run the affairs of the federation and the national teams assignments from internally generated sponsorship funds.

Under the soon expiring two-time reign of Pinnick as NFF President, the Super Eagles for the first time failed to qualify to defend the title they won in 2013. The three-time African champions could not pick the ticket for the African Nations Cup in 2015 and 2017 finals. 

Recently, the Super Falcons also recorded a back-to-back failure in pursuit of an Olympic qualification tickets (2016 & 2020) and early this year, the Super Eagles were knocked out in the Round of 16 of AFCON 2020 for the first time since 1982. This followed by failure to pick the World Cup ticket on March 29, 2022.

Pinnick's almost eight-year tenure has been enveloped with series of failures, firstly being the only NFF President where all national teams had failed to qualify for major tournaments.

Since announcing his desires not seek a third term in office, the Warri-born football administrator has turned around to lick his spit as he makes desperate move to remain in office to ground Nigerian football that had struggle for his survival in the last eight years after being re-elected in 2018.

BSN Sports further gathered that, in his desperation to stay put, he has sent top Sports administrators and three different governors to beg the sports minister to back his third term bid.

Consequently, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Sports had ordered Pinnick to make sure that the NFF Elective Congress holds in September to pave way for the new board to steer the ship of the game in the next four years.

This development has infuriated the FIFA Council member, whose plots to stage a comeback received cold shoulder from the Ministry and has since resulted in blackmailing the Federal Government and the Minister of Sports.