An advocacy group, the Athletics and Sports Development Initiative (ASDI), has called on former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, to provide a detailed account of over $2 million allegedly expended on stadium renovation projects during his tenure.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, Chairman of ASDI’s Board of Trustees, commended the House of Representatives Committee on Sports for its ongoing investigation into the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) use of FIFA development funds.
However, Gombe urged the committee to extend the probe to other uncompleted projects, including the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, and the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, where, according to him, over $2 million were spent without tangible results.
“While we welcome the current investigation into FIFA projects, we also urge the House to ensure fairness by asking former sports ministers to account for all funds they received for sports infrastructure,”
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He specifically questioned the handling of $1 million donated by Aliko Dangote for the renovation of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, and another $2 million donation from Baba Ijebu (Chief Kessington Adebutu)for the Lagos National Stadium project, both of which, he alleged, were managed under Dare’s administration.
Gombe further alleged that despite the funds spent, the Abuja stadium remains downgraded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to Level One, rendering it unfit to host international matches.
“Sunday Dare claimed to have renovated the Abuja stadium with the Dangote funds, yet CAF has downgraded it, meaning it cannot host international fixtures. The situation in Lagos is even worse,”
He accused the former minister of evicting traders from the Surulere Stadium premises after collecting renovation funds, only to abandon the project midway.
Gombe urged the National Assembly to compel Dare, who now serves in President Tinubu’s media team, to publicly explain how the funds were utilized.
“Just as the House is probing FIFA grants, it must also ask Sunday Dare to account for the Dangote and Baba Ijebu grants,” he added.
The ASDI chairman concluded by lamenting the current state of football infrastructure in Nigeria, noting that only the **Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo** and **Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne** currently meet CAF standards for continental competitions.