FIFA has drawn backlash in Nigeria after using an image of the Birnin Kebbi Stadium, reportedly built with $1.2 million under the FIFA Forward Programme, as its new banner on X and Facebook.
The half-finished facility, co-funded with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sparked outrage online, with many accusing the NFF of corruption and mismanaging FIFA funds. Critics like Chinedu Mobike alleged that “FIFA gave $1.2m for two stadiums in Kebbi and Delta, but none is functional.”
In response, the NFF denied wrongdoing, insisting all FIFA and CAF funds are tied to specific projects and audited annually. However, FIFA’s silence and the image choice renewed suspicion, with many Nigerians viewing it as a quiet rebuke of the NFF.
The incident has fueled the #SaveNigerianFootball campaign, demanding accountability and reform in Nigerian football management amid years of structural decay and poor maintenance culture in sports infrastructure.
