As former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick marks his 55th birthday today, December 1, 2025, renewed attention is shifting to long-standing allegations surrounding his administration’s handling of football development funds.
This renewed scrutiny follows an October resolution by the House of Representatives, which approved an investigation into how the NFF managed more than US$25 million in grants received from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025. Lawmakers argue that despite the size of the funding, Nigerian football saw minimal improvement during that period.
A major point of contention remains the 2015–2016 FIFA development grant of US$2.5 million. A PwC audit later revealed that over US$800,000 from that allocation could not be supported with adequate documentation, raising concerns about transparency and the possibility of financial mismanagement.
Questions have also surrounded the US$1.2 million Kebbi “Goal Project,” a facility linked to Pinnick’s tenure. Critics claim the project did not meet expected standards, suggesting that the funds budgeted for it may not have been fully accounted for.
Pinnick has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In a statement earlier this year, he described the accusations as baseless and asserted that all projects executed under his leadership were properly monitored and met international compliance standards.
Still, football analysts say the planned legislative inquiry adds fresh pressure on Nigeria’s football administrators to demonstrate greater accountability. For many stakeholders, the investigation offers a chance to address long-standing concerns and restore trust in the governance of the sport.
As Pinnick celebrates his birthday, the debate around his stewardship of Nigerian football continues to shape public discussion highlighting both his influence and the controversies that have trailed his time in office.
