Abandoned FIFA Project: Monimichelle faults NFF on funding as equipment rot away in Ugborodo

By David Oyekan

Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle Sports, Ebi Egbe, has accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of abandoning the FIFA Forward 2.0 infrastructure project in Ugborodo, Delta State, claiming that over ₦250 million worth of construction equipment is wasting away on-site after the federation stopped funding the project three years ago.

In an exclusive interview on Brila FM’s “No Holds Barred”, Egbe revealed that the project meant to boost grassroots football infrastructure under the FIFA Forward initiative — had been abandoned for the past three years despite significant progress before funding stopped.

“The NFF stopped funding the project three years ago. The project was built to fail,” Egbe alleged. “I have worked more than $500,000 worth of construction, and I have equipment in Ugborodo worth over ₦250 million rotting away.”

Egbe, whose company specializes in modern sports facility construction, expressed frustration over the NFF’s alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability regarding funds disbursed for the project.

“I challenge anybody to go and quantify what has been done in Ugborodo. They should pay me my balance and see if the project won’t be completed,” he said.

According to the Monimichelle boss, the NFF reportedly received $1.2 million from FIFA for the development, but he insists he was never paid that amount.

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“I am hearing the NFF have received $1.2 million for the project. I have not received $1.2 million. I am owed $700,000. They are just lying to Nigerians. Do you know I was taxed on the $500,000 by the NFF?” Egbe stated.

The Ugborodo facility was conceived as part of FIFA’s Forward 2.0 infrastructure support program, designed to improve football development across member nations by funding pitches, training centers, and administrative buildings. However, the alleged suspension of funding and stalled progress has cast doubts over Nigeria’s transparency in executing the project.

While the NFF is yet to respond to Egbe’s claims, football stakeholders have called for an independent audit of all FIFA-funded infrastructure projects in Nigeria to ensure accountability and completion.

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