National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko has explained the circumstances surrounding the ₦17 billion Federal Government funding provided to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saying the money had been fully spent before the NSC assumed responsibility for sports administration.

Dikko made the clarification while speaking with ARISE NEWS on Friday, amid renewed questions over the management and accountability of government funds released to the NFF.

According to the NSC chairman, the funds were approved and released between December 2023 and January 2024, months before the National Sports Commission came into existence in October 2024.

“Those monies were given even before I assumed office. Those monies were given in December 2023 to January 2024. The Sports Commission only came in in October 2024,” Dikko said.

He stressed that by the time the NSC took over, the entire amount had already been spent.

Dikko explained that the NFF had submitted a breakdown detailing how it intended to utilise the funds before the Federal Government approved the request.

He said the then Ministry responsible for sports subsequently transferred the approved funds in full to the NFF account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“They submitted a breakdown of what they wanted to do with the money, and the President approved and gave them the money,” he said.

According to Dikko, the ministry did not retain any portion of the allocation, arguing that its responsibility at that stage was to transfer the approved funds to the NFF.

“So basically, the ministry had done what they had to do at that time. So it’s for the NFF to account back to the ministry for what they had done with the money,” he added.

The NSC chairman said the NFF’s audited financial statements should provide the appropriate basis for determining whether the funds were properly utilised and whether any irregularities occurred.

“That is why now the rulebook says that you have to present the audited accounts and everything. And if there are issues, then the NFF will open up,” Dikko said.

He further explained that government officials are embedded within the NFF’s financial management structure, including the federation’s financial director and officials from the Office of the Auditor-General.

Dikko said these officials have access to financial records and documentation and could provide relevant information if questions arise over the management of the funds.

The NSC chairman also stressed the need for stronger oversight by the NFF Congress, which he described as a critical part of the federation’s governance structure.

He argued that Congress members should be more actively involved in scrutinising the federation’s financial affairs rather than waiting for controversies to emerge.

“That is why they have the annual meetings every year. That is why we are asking, people are asking that the Congress has to be more engaged, has to be more involved,” he said.

Dikko noted that audited accounts are presented within the NFF’s existing governance structure and argued that potential financial concerns should ordinarily be identified through the Congress’s oversight responsibilities.

His comments come as the Federal Government pushes for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s football administration following the resignation of the NFF leadership.

Dikko said the reform agenda should include stronger financial accountability, transparency and institutional oversight, alongside changes to the electoral system and other aspects of football governance.

He also placed the ₦17 billion allocation within the broader context of Federal Government investment in football under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Dikko, the amount represented an unprecedented level of direct government funding to the NFF when compared with previous administrations.

He contrasted the ₦17 billion allocation with the total Federal Government funding to the NFF during Amaju Pinnick’s tenure as federation president between 2014 and 2022, which he put at about ₦15 billion.

Dikko argued that increased public investment must be accompanied by corresponding improvements in the way football is administered.

“This is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been doing for sports, giving an unprecedented amount of money,” he said, insisting that greater government support makes comprehensive institutional reform necessary.

The NSC chairman’s explanation places the immediate responsibility for accounting for the ₦17 billion with the NFF and the relevant oversight authorities, while the federation’s audited accounts remain central to establishing how the funds were utilised.

As Nigeria begins discussions on a new football governance framework, financial transparency and stronger Congress oversight are expected to form an important part of the reform conversation.