Sports

Ugborodo’s abandoned FIFA project

Pinnick and Monimichelle accuse each other of being responsible for the project’s abandonment, while the public remains in the dark about what funds were released, how they were utilised, and why the project has been put on hold.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 28, 2025

OCHEFA

107 Views

(Vanguard): When former FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter, launched the FIFA Goal Project in 1999, the initiative was envisioned as a catalyst for global football development; one that would help countries build modern training grounds, nurture grassroots talents and strengthen the structures of football administration.

For many nations, the project has been nothing short of transformative.

In Nigeria, however, the story is painfully familiar.In 2020, FIFA approved the construction of two mini-stadiums: one in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State and another in Ugborodo, Delta State; each valued at $1.2 million.

While the Kebbi facility, built by Enron Construction, now stands completed, the Ugborodo project has become mired in controversy, delay and finger-pointing. And once again, Nigerians are left asking: How did we get here?

Launched with enthusiasm, the Ugborodo mini-stadium was celebrated as a project that would unite the Itsekiri, Ilaje, and Ijaw communities.

Delta State officials promised full support, applauding FIFA and the NFF for selecting the community.

Yet today, the site, awarded to Monimichelle Sports Construction Company under the leadership of then NFF President Amaju Pinnick, has become a symbol of yet another failed infrastructure dream.

While the Kebbi facility, built by Enron Construction, now stands completed, the Ugborodo project has become mired in controversy, delay and finger-pointing.

The stalled project is not just a physical eyesore, it is a metaphor for the deeper malaise afflicting Nigeria’s sports development ecosystem.

At a time when the nation continues to produce exceptional football talents against all odds, the very infrastructure meant to nurture these talents is either non-existent, ill-maintained or abandoned.

Worse still, the key actors are now trading blame instead of providing answers.

Nigerians deserve better than recycled excuses. They deserve accountability.

The FIFA Goal Project operates with strict implementation and reporting standards.

If Nigeria cannot properly manage a $1.2 million mini-stadium, what message does that send about our seriousness in sports administration?

Why has no one been held accountable? How much was disbursed? What are the deliverables? Who failed to meet them?The Ugborodo embarrassment should be a turning point.

Every FIFA-funded or assisted project in Nigeria must henceforth undergo independent auditing, transparent, publicly accessible reporting and community-level monitoring to prevent abandonment and diversion.

Sports infrastructure is not a political souvenir to be handed out for patronage. It is a national asset with long-term developmental value.

Treating such projects casually undermines the opportunities for young athletes. It erodes public trust.

Ugborodo should therefore stand as a wake-up call, not another forgotten statistic in Nigeria’s long list of uncompleted projects.

And Nigeria must finally learn to move from fanfare to follow-through, from ceremonial ground-breaking to sustained institution-building.

Our young talents deserve better and more.

Related Topics:Featured FIFA funded Ugborodo mini stadium

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Ndidi, who also wore the armband during Nigeria’s recent CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in Morocco, steps into the leadership role following the international retirement of former captains William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa.

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• Super Eagles Captain,Wilfred Ndidi

Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been appointed captain of the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder missed the rescheduled 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire due to injury.However, he remains one of Nigeria’s most seasoned players, having earned 71 international caps since making his senior debut in August 2015.

A product of Nigeria’s youth teams, Ndidi represented the country at U17 and U20 levels before becoming a regular fixture in the Super Eagles setup.

His experience, discipline, and leadership qualities are expected to play a key role as Nigeria targets a strong campaign at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

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Super Eagles Ahmed Musa Ends 15 years Career in football

Musa retired as Nigeria’s most capped international, having made 111 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Published

12 hours ago

December 18, 2025

OCHEFA

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“After a lot of thought, I have decided to retire from international football, bringing to an end almost 15 years with the Super Eagles. From the very first call-up, wearing the green and white meant everything to me.”

Ahmed Musa made the announcement on his social media platforms, yesterday

Musa who is now 33-year-old made his senior national team debut on September 5, 2010 in the qualification match for the 2012 AFCON against Madagascar at the age of 17.

He recalled his early years in the national team setup, noting that his rise coincided with invitations to multiple national teams at the same time.

“I was just a young boy when the journey started. I remember being invited at the same time to the U-20, U-23 and the Super Eagles. I was young, still learning, and always travelling, but I never complained.

Whenever Nigeria called, I showed up,” he said.

Musa retired as Nigeria’s most capped international, having made 111 appearances for the Super Eagles.

He described the milestone as a source of pride and responsibility: “To become the most capped player in the history of Nigerian football is a great honour. Every time I wore the jersey, I understood the responsibility that came with it,” he said.

Sports

Nigeria lost $10.5 million of the FIFA World Cup 2026 prize money

The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in the final round of the playoffs to DR Congo.

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2025

OCHEFA

47 Views

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to miss about $10.5 million out of the $727 million huge financial outlay by FIFA for teams participating in the 2026 Wold Cup.

The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in the final round of the playoffs to DR Congo.

The setback not only denied Nigeria a ticket to the Mundial but also shut out the country from significant financial rewards attached to participation.

The world soccer ruling body said the prize money for next year’s World Cup will be 50% higher than the previous edition after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.

The biggest slice of FIFA’s funding package for the North American showpiece – $655 million – will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations with the champions taking $50 million and the runners-up $33 million.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

The 16 nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn $9 million while in addition, each qualified nation is entitled to $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.

This means that the NFF will miss at least $10.5 million if the team had qualified for the Mundial but that would not to be unless the federation is able to push through its protest on the alleged ineligibility of some of the Congolese players in the ill-fated play-off encounter in November.