Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged mismanagement of funds released by FIFA to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), describing it as a “sickening and shameful” example of the entrenched corruption that continues to cripple Nigeria’s development.
In a statement titled “Corruption in Sports: A Reflection of Nigeria’s Deeper Malaise”, Obi said the revelations about how funds meant for stadium projects and youth sports development were diverted mirror the wider rot in public administration.
He recalled that during his tenure as governor, Awka was chosen as one of six cities for a FIFA-funded stadium project. Land was allocated for the project, which was to be executed by the Federal Ministry of Sports, but according to him, “that was the last we heard of it.”
Believing the project was underway, Obi said his administration instead focused on developing mini-stadiums across Anambra State, including the Chuba Ikpeazu Memorial Stadium and the Godwin Achebe Stadium in Onitsha. Years later, when it became clear the promised FIFA project had been abandoned, his government initiated the construction of the Awka Stadium.
Reacting to reports that over $25 million had been received by the NFF from FIFA and CAF since 2013 for football and youth development, Obi said there was little evidence of meaningful use of the funds. He described the alleged $1.2 million stadium project in Kebbi State as “a national embarrassment” that fails to justify the funds reportedly spent.
“The real demarketers of Nigeria are the incompetent leaders who have forged their way to wealth through the theft of public resources meant for schools, healthcare, and youth empowerment,” he stated.
He argued that corruption in the sports sector was symptomatic of a broader national crisis, where those entrusted with public funds act without accountability. “Our youths are our greatest assets, yet we have destroyed their future and turned around to call them ‘Yahoo boys’ when the real ‘Yahoo’ of our nation are corrupt leaders,” Obi said.
He called for integrity and transparency across all sectors, stressing that Nigeria cannot make progress unless leaders embrace accountability and good governance.
“If we truly desire to rebuild our country, we must begin with integrity in every sector. Until then, our nation will continue to crawl where it should be soaring,” Obi concluded, reaffirming his belief that “a new Nigeria is possible.”
