Global football body FIFA has ignited a wave of controversy across Nigeria after showcasing the Birnin Kebbi Stadium project in Kebbi State — a facility reportedly built for $1.2 million under the FIFA Forward Programme on its official social media pages.
The image, used as FIFA’s new profile banner on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook on Saturday, quickly went viral, showing a half-completed, sparsely furnished facility. While the post was intended to highlight grassroots football development, it instead drew widespread backlash, with many Nigerians interpreting it as a subtle jab at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) amid ongoing corruption allegations.
The uproar came days after a viral video by football critic Chinedu Mobike (@c_mobike) accused the NFF of mismanaging millions of dollars in FIFA Forward funds. Mobike alleged that FIFA released $1.2 million for two stadium projects — one in Kebbi and another in Ugborodo, Delta State but claimed neither project was completed.
“Other countries used their FIFA funds to truly develop football. Nigeria produced nothing to show,” Mobike said in his video, which has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
His comments sparked a nationwide debate, with fans taking to social media to demand transparency from the NFF. “If we can troll the Super Eagles for poor performances, we should also call out the NFF. How do you spend $1.2 million on this chicken farm-looking structure?” one X user wrote.
Another user described the situation as “absolutely shameful,” calling for a probe into how FIFA and CAF funds are being utilized. In response to the growing criticism, the NFF issued a statement on Friday, October 24, 2025, describing the online claims as “misinformation.”
The Federation emphasized that all funds from FIFA and CAF are earmarked for specific purposes and are audited annually. “The monies meant for development purposes are tied to specific projects and are subject to strict financial regulations, compliance, monitoring, and auditing at every stage,” the statement read.
The NFF added that projects such as the ongoing NFF/FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches at the MKO Abiola National Stadium are being executed under direct supervision by FIFA-approved consultants, who receive funds directly after verification and approval at each phase.
The Federation also dismissed the viral figures as “fictitious,” stressing that critics “would find no reason to seek clout if they understood how much it costs to organize a single match of any national team.”
Despite the NFF’s clarification, FIFA’s silent decision to feature the Kebbi stadium photo reignited public scrutiny. Many Nigerians saw it as an unspoken message from the world football body about Nigeria’s lagging infrastructure and questionable transparency.
Comparing the $1.2 million facility with Senegal’s 50,000-capacity Stade Abdoulaye Wade, which cost $270 million, one X user wrote: “FIFA’s way of mocking the NFF. How do you spend $1.2m on that stadium? Exposing the corruption in Nigerian football.”
The outrage has fueled the rise of the #SaveNigerianFootball movement online, with fans, journalists, and former players calling for reforms in football governance. The campaign has evolved into a broader reflection of Nigeria’s sports infrastructure crisis — from the decaying National Stadium in Lagos to the CAF-disqualified MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Experts note that Nigeria’s sports infrastructure woes stem not only from funding gaps but also from poor maintenance culture and weak oversight. “The Kebbi project is not just about one stadium; it’s about a system that builds without sustaining,” one analyst commented.
As of press time, FIFA has not officially commented on the controversy or explained why it chose the Kebbi project image for its banner. The lack of response has deepened speculation that the move was deliberate possibly a quiet call for accountability.
Meanwhile, public trust in the NFF remains strained. Many Nigerians are demanding full transparency regarding how FIFA and CAF development funds have been utilized over the years.
As one social media user summed it up: “We deserve to know where every dollar goes. Until there’s accountability, Nigerian football will remain in the shadows.”
