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By Bosun Adeyemi
The maiden edition of the Big Sports Dialogue in Lagos took a dramatic turn when former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick faced intense scrutiny over Nigeria’s gains from his years in continental and global football leadership. The dialogue, which aimed to reappraise Nigeria’s sports sector, brought together key stakeholders from across the industry.
Pinnick was questioned by Prince Abayomi Ogunjimi, National President of the Authentic Nigeria Football & Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC), about the tangible benefits Nigeria derived from his tenure as NFF President and CAF Vice President. Ogunjimi asked, “With the powerful position you held at CAF, what exactly did Nigeria benefit from your office? What did your role bring back home to develop Nigerian sport?”
Pinnick responded by emphasizing the structured nature of FIFA and CAF funding, stating that every money received comes with specific purposes and is documented. He also attributed Nigeria’s challenges to its international image, often associated with corruption and security concerns.
The scrutiny intensified when Monday Kalu, former youth international and sports strategist, compared Nigeria’s sports progress to that of Morocco, a nation praised for deliberate planning and infrastructural investment. Kalu asked Pinnick to explain what Nigeria did differently, given the funds received from FIFA during his tenure.
Pinnick defended his tenure, insisting that the NFF operated under strict auditing procedures and was audited by PwC, a top audit firm. He maintained that accusations of mismanagement were largely unfounded.
The dialogue highlighted the need for accountability and reform in Nigeria’s sports sector. A comprehensive reform document is being developed, outlining concrete actions and milestones for stakeholders to rally behind. The event marked a significant step towards igniting a long-overdue conversation about Nigeria’s sports development and ensuring that global influence translates into meaningful domestic growth.
