The Birnin Kebbi mini-stadium
Nigerians have taken to social media to express their displeasure after global football body FIFA showcased the newly built Birnin Kebbi mini-stadium, a $1.2 million project co-funded with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on its official social media pages.
According to reports, the image, which FIFA used as the new banner on its official X account, showed the modest-looking stadium in Kebbi State.
The facility, built under the FIFA Forward Programme, was meant to symbolize progress in grassroots football, but its underwhelming appearance has left many Nigerians questioning how such a small structure could cost over a million dollars.
The post quickly went viral, sparking a wave of criticism and accusations of corruption against football authorities.
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Fans compared the project to a similar $1.2 million FIFA-funded stadium in Kenya, which appears significantly larger and more developed despite costing the same amount.
“This can’t be $1.2 million. It looks like a community field,” one fan wrote on X, echoing the sentiments of many who believe the funds were mismanaged.
The backlash intensified after football critic Chinedu Mobike accused the NFF of misappropriating FIFA development funds.
In a viral Instagram post, Mobike claimed that FIFA had allocated $1.2 million for two stadiums, one in Kebbi and another in Ugborodo, Delta State, but only one was completed while the other “never saw daylight.”
Responding to the allegations, the NFF issued a statement on October 24, 2025, dismissing the reports as misinformation.
The federation said all funds from FIFA and CAF are audited and tied to specific projects, stressing that every stage of the FIFA Forward Programme undergoes strict compliance checks.
“FIFA Forward funds are properly specified and under strict adherence to financial regulations, compliance, monitoring, and auditing at every stage,” the NFF said.
The football body also cited ongoing FIFA-backed projects, such as a players’ hostel and new training pitches at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, as proof that funds are being used appropriately.
Despite the explanation, public outrage has not subsided. Many Nigerians have described the $1.2 million stadium as a “national embarrassment,” calling for an independent investigation into how the funds were spent.
The Birnin Kebbi mini-stadium was launched in 2020 and completed in late 2023.
In response to growing corruption allegations against the NFF, FIFA has updated its Twitter and Facebook cover photos to an image of Amaju Pinnick’s $1.2 million Ultra-Modern Birnin Kebbi Mini Stadium. https://t.co/cTmlkzg4BT pic.twitter.com/86otehKfFB
— NaijaEyes (@naija_eyes) October 25, 2025
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