Former NFF President Amaju Pinnick Responds to Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
Amaju Pinnick, the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has publicly addressed serious allegations regarding the misappropriation of funds during his eight-year tenure. The prominent football administrator, who served two terms from 2014 to 2022, faced direct questioning about whether he stole money from the football governing body.
Vehement Denial of Financial Wrongdoing
During an appearance on The Playzone Podcast, Pinnick categorically dismissed the allegations as completely unfounded. The former FIFA Council member emphasized that he had established himself as a successful businessman long before entering sports administration. He pointed to his daughter's education in England beginning in 2007 as evidence of his financial standing prior to his NFF presidency.
"What life was I living before NFF? I'm asking you. My daughter went to England when she was eight. She's getting married in two months. She has two degrees, and that was in 2007, way before NFF," Pinnick stated during the interview.
Detailing Pre-NFF Business Success
Pinnick provided specific details about his business background to counter the allegations:
- He recounted organizing a successful show at the University of Benin in 1990 featuring Sina Peters, where he invested 25,000 naira and earned 96,000 naira
- He established AMP Ventures and served as a contractor for both Delta State and Bayelsa State governments during the 1990s, primarily supplying cement
- He emphasized that he never worked for anyone else, building his business independently before entering football administration
The former Delta State FA President argued that his visible wealth, including reports of luxury vehicles like a Rolls-Royce and armored SUV, resulted from legitimate business success rather than misappropriated football funds.
Football Achievements During His Tenure
Despite the financial allegations, Pinnick's time as NFF president included significant football accomplishments:
- The Super Eagles qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
- Nigeria won the bronze medal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt
- Pinnick served as CAF's first vice chairman from 2018 to 2019
- He maintained a position on the FIFA Council until 2025 when he lost his re-election bid
Post-NFF Recognition and Current Role
Following his departure from the NFF presidency, FIFA recognized Pinnick's contributions by appointing him as deputy chairperson of the FIFA Men's National Teams Competitions Committee. He has remained an influential voice in Nigerian football, recently commenting on the current state of the Super Eagles and the work of his successor, Ibrahim Gusau.
The former administrator also referenced his advocacy for Nigerian football during CAF's investigation into the 2014 airport hostage situation in Libya, demonstrating his continued commitment to the sport's development in Nigeria.
Context of FIFA Funds Scandal
These latest denials come amid ongoing scrutiny of NFF's financial management during Pinnick's leadership. Previous reports indicated that FIFA disbursed approximately $1.2 million to the NFF for developing two mini-pitches through the FIFA Forward Programme. While questions have been raised about the utilization of these funds, Pinnick maintains that all financial dealings during his administration were proper and transparent.
Pinnick's detailed response represents his most comprehensive public rebuttal to the persistent allegations that have followed his tenure as Nigeria's top football administrator.
