The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has defended its decision to terminate the contract awarded to Monimichelle Sports for the construction of the FIFA-funded mini stadium in Ugborodo, Delta State, saying the company failed to meet deadlines despite receiving nearly half a million dollars for the job.
The NFF’s General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said the contractor was warned several times to return to the site before the federation pulled the plug on the deal.
“There’s no new contractor. The only thing was that we gave him two weeks to return to the site and reach the level of the money he was paid. FIFA was aware, and he did not go back to the site, so it stands terminated because it is FIFA’s money,” Sanusi said as quoted by the Punch. “It was FIFA who directed us on what to do, and we gave him time.”
The Ugborodo project, funded under FIFA’s Forward Programme, was designed as a twin to a similar mini stadium in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. Each facility is valued at around $1.2 million. While the Birnin Kebbi stadium has been in use for about two years, the Ugborodo project remains abandoned with little visible progress.
But Monimichelle Sports CEO, Ebi Egbe, insists the NFF’s decision was unlawful. He said the company is already in court challenging what he described as an “illegal termination” and seeking ₦10 billion in damages.
“Corruption is a pervasive issue in Nigerian football, and Monimichelle Sports will not contribute to it. We are currently involved in a court case with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning the illegal termination of our contract without proper procedures. Moreover, we are taking legal action against the NFF for misleading the Nigerian public and defamation, seeking N10bn in damages,” Egbe stated in a social media post.
The controversy has reignited scrutiny over how FIFA development funds are managed in Nigeria. According to Harrison Jalla, President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Task Force, the NFF had already paid Monimichelle Sports roughly $500,000 for the Ugborodo project.
“On October 25, 2020, with reference number S47547746 and transaction details PHUB: FT 2029003132/CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, the sum of USD 262,116.28 was transferred to the First Bank account of the contractor handling the Ugborodo project as the first tranche payment,” Jalla said as quoted by the Punch.
“On May 7, 2021, through the same account details, another sum of USD 306,045.52 was transferred. These are the only payments the contractor has received so far.”
