Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for a full investigation into the reported N6.44 billion spent on Nigeria’s unsuccessful bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, saying the use of public funds must be transparent and subject to proper accountability.
Atiku made the call following concerns raised by the Public Funds and Infrastructure Protection Centre PFIPC, which questioned how the money allocated to the World Cup qualification campaign was spent. He said the allegations deserve a thorough and independent investigation to determine whether public resources were properly managed.
In a statement, Atiku urged anti corruption agencies and other relevant authorities to examine all financial transactions connected to the qualification campaign. He said Nigerians have a right to know how public money was used, particularly when the expected outcome was not achieved.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for the tournament after a disappointing qualifying campaign, a result that drew widespread criticism from football fans and sports analysts. The failure marked another setback for a country where football is regarded as a major source of national pride.
Although Atiku did not accuse any individual or institution of wrongdoing, he insisted that a transparent investigation would help establish the facts and strengthen public confidence in government spending. He said accountability should apply to every public institution entrusted with taxpayers’ money.
The Public Funds and Infrastructure Protection Centre has also called for greater scrutiny of the reported expenditure, arguing that public funds must be managed in line with established financial regulations. The organization said any concerns over government spending should be addressed through lawful and transparent processes.
The Nigeria Football Federation has not publicly responded to Atiku’s call for an investigation. It also remains unclear whether any government agency has opened a formal probe into the reported spending.
Governance advocates and civil society groups have long argued that greater transparency in sports administration is necessary to improve public trust. Analysts say independent oversight of public spending, including funds allocated to sporting activities, is essential to ensuring accountability and preventing financial mismanagement.
Football is Nigeria’s most popular sport and receives significant public attention and government support. Atiku’s call for an investigation has added fresh momentum to discussions about financial accountability in sports administration, with many Nigerians expected to closely watch how the relevant authorities respond.
