Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has dismissed allegations that funds meant for the FIFA Goal Project in Kebbi State were mismanaged. The controversy started after FIFA shared pictures online showing the Benin-Kebbi Stadium still under construction, leading many Nigerians to question how the project money was spent.

Speaking on ARISE News, Pinnick explained that the criticism was based on wrong assumptions. He stressed that FIFA closely monitors every dollar it spends on football projects. According to him, the project budget was around $1.1 million in 2020, which was less than ₦400 million at the time, and every step followed FIFA’s rules and audit system.

Pinnick said the project followed proper procedures and that no extra funds were approved even after COVID-19 delayed the work. He insisted that there was no variation of costs and everything was executed according to plan. He added that personal dislike for him shouldn’t turn into false accusations, urging critics to focus on the improvement of Nigerian football instead.

He also advised Nigerians to always verify information before making public claims, warning that misinformation damages reputations and discourages development efforts. Pinnick maintained that his leadership at the NFF was transparent and accountable.

The FIFA Goal Project is a global initiative designed to upgrade football facilities in member countries. However, the program has faced mixed reactions in Nigeria due to concerns about the condition of some funded facilities, including the one in Kebbi.