NFF budgets N7.5bn for 2020

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has earmarked a total of N7.5 billion for expenditure of the federation in year 2020.

The federation disclosed this in a communique to TheCable on Tuesday, after its 75th annual general meeting held at the Heritage hotel and suites in Benin, Edo state.

The NFF board and secretariat have also been given the task of ensuring that the Super Eagles, which will participate in the World Cup qualifying series from March, get a spot in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when the qualification series resumes in August.

The federation also appealed to aggrieved stakeholders as well as other members of the football family to always “adopt more meaningful, fruitful and useful dispute resolution methods in the interest of the Nigerian game, by escalating their grievances to the Congress for amicable settlement”.

In recent times, the leadership of the NFF has been accused of failing to declare its assets coupled with the alleged disappearance of US$8.4 million paid by FIFA to Nigeria for participation in the 2014 World Cup.

Some of its top officials are also under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The communique read in full:

“The General Assembly poured encomiums on His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR as a person and the Federal Government as a body, for continued robust support and encouragement for the programmes, activities and events of the various National Teams, the Nigeria Football Federation and Nigerian football generally.

“The Congress also commended the efforts of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Akin Dare and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, in supporting the work of the Nigeria Football Federation in the preparation and participation of Nigeria’s National Teams in international matches and championships.

“Congress approved the 2018 Financial Statement and the 2020 Budget of the Nigeria Football Federation, the former subject to any further adjustment by external auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers, and also approved that the Financial Statement shall be published in at least four (4) National newspapers to ensure wider circulation to all stakeholders and further entrench the transparency mantra of the NFF. Congress commended the NFF for a sterling financial performance in the year 2018 which saw unprecedented income from sponsors and others sources to complement Government support, in spite of the distractions and challenges. The sum of N7.5billion is earmarked for total expenditure of the Federation for the year 2020.

“In view of the toxic environment and the reputational damage that the spate of negative reports, half-truths, falsehood and insidious rumours are causing for the Nigerian Football ecosystem, Congress charged aggrieved stakeholders and other Members of the Football family to adopt more meaningful, fruitful and useful dispute resolution methods in the interest of the Nigerian game, by escalating their grievances to the Congress for amicable settlement.

“The General Assembly approved that the reports of the Statutes Amendment Committee and the Reforms Committee of the NFF be stepped down pending the assent of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to the NFF Bill, which has already been passed by both houses of the National Assembly. After the presidential assent, the reports would then be harmonized with the new Bill. Congress commended members of both committees for the work done so far.

“Congress endorsed a proposal by the Executive Committee for a fresh, 5-year contract for the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, with effect from January 1, 2020 while a four-year contract (the first year being probationary) was approved for the Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.  The Assembly however charged the General Secretary to institute processes and methods to ensure a more efficient and effective NFF Secretariat.

“Congress charged the NFF Board and Secretariat to work assiduously to ensure the qualification of the Super Eagles for both the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the other National Teams for their various African and global championships, while implementing robust and workable policies that will return Nigeria to the top table of youth football internationally.

“General Assembly passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation headed by Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

“Congress praised the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his administration for hosting the 75th Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation and the Retreat for Chairmen of Nigerian Football, and also for robust investment in the sports sector generally.”