The Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo, is under intense pressure to urgently institute a probe into the finances of the Aminu Maigari-led Nigeria Football Federation board, officials of the ministry told our reporter

The Sports Minister’s office has been inundated with petitions, calling for probe of the current NFF board after the last extra-ordinary congress of the NFF that accused the leadership of financial secrecy.

A petitioner who styles himself as a Concerned Nigerian and football enthusiast, Mohammed Raheem, is requesting the Federal Government to compel the Aminu Maigari-led board to account for over N9 billion that has accrued to it in from the Federal Government the past four years.

The breakdown of the monies according to the petitioner shows N7.2 billion monthly subventions released to the NFF in the past four years and N850 million Special grants released for the 2014 World Cup, excluding other special releases.

The huge amount also excludes over $13 million received from FIFA and CAF during the same period. Interestingly, the N9 billion and $13 million are outside the monies running into millions of naira and US dollars that the NFF generated from various sponsorships and international friendly matches played which are still being kept in secret.

In the petition addressed to the Minister, the petitioner accused the present NFF board of financial secrecy.

“I have followed with keen interest recent developments in our football, following the second round elimination at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

“It is noteworthy that the boys missed two days of training prior to the second round match against France in protest at their unpaid appearance fees and bonuses, which ridiculed our great country.

“I am grateful for President Goodluck Jonathan for his intervention which saved the situation. Perhaps, the boys would not have turned up for the match, which would have been the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup that such a thing would happen.

“While I am of the opinion that the Aminu Maigari-led NFF has done well, I wish to state that I am interested in the NFF Leadership explaining, in details, its financial operations in the past four years,” Raheem demanded.

Specifically, the petitioner wants the Maigari-led board to account for:

2010 FIFA World Cup prize money of $4.6 million that was paid into the NFF coffers after the exit of Sani Lulu Abdullahi.

2013 AFCON Prize Money of $1.5 million, paid by CAF for winning the tournament

FIFA Confederation Cup Prize Money of $1.75 million paid by FIFA for Nigeria’s participation in the tournament.

2014 African nations Championship Prize Money of $250,000 paid by CAF for Nigeria’s home based players’ participation.

Proceeds From 25 International Friendly Matches played by the Super Eagles, saying “Receipts from international friendly matches were forever shrouded in secrecy, and monies were even taken from Government grants and sponsorships fees to fund friendly matches that ought to pay for themselves”.

Rights Fees From Sponsors And Partners. Why is there so much secrecy in when and how much sponsors, at home and abroad, pay to the Federation? The NFF has sponsors like Adidas, Globacom, Guinness, Supersport, Cadbury, Peak, IGI and Samsung. How much do these companies pay to the NFF on annual basis?

$1.4 million Savings For NFF Headquarters. The administration of Sani Lulu did not access the annual $250,000 paid to all Member Associations for 4 years (2006-2010), aiming to build a befitting Headquarters with the money and FIFA also released $400,000 grant for that purpose.

“However, the Presidential Task Force decided to use the money left in its coffers after 2010 World Cup to build a befitting Headquarters for the NFF, what did the Aminu Maigari’s NFF do with the tidy sum of $1.4 million left in FIFA’s coffers?

2014 FIFA World Cup Grant Of $1.5 million released by FIFA preparatory to Brazil fiesta.

Federal Govt’s Special Grant of N850 million released by the FG to prosecute the 2014 World Cup finals.

N7.2 billion Monthly Subvention from Federal Government (2010-2014).

“Honourable Minister, the above is just a tip of the iceberg. But, it is important that the Aminu Maigari administration provide answers to these salient questions in an era of transparency and accountability, and in order for us to be truly able to transform the football sector in this country going forward,” the petitioner stated.