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Mr. Peter Obi has condemned the misuse of money allocated for football growth in Nigeria, describing it as an indicator of the broader corruption affecting the nation.

On Monday morning, Obi shared his frustration following FIFA’s recent announcement that money given to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for stadium developments and youth player training was not properly handled.

“While we keep facing insecurity, poverty, and increasing youth unemployment, the most tragic situation is the deep-rooted corruption that exists in every area, particularly those that could help Nigeria progress,” Obi tweeted.

He remembered that while he was governor, Awka was chosen as one of six sites for a FIFA-standard stadium, entirely financed by FIFA. Land was provided, and officials promised that the Federal Ministry of Sports would carry out the project, a commitment that was never kept.

Thinking the stadium project had started, Obi mentioned that his administration funded small stadiums throughout the state to encourage local sports, such as the Chuba Ikpeazu Memorial Stadium and Godwin Achebe Stadium in Onitsha. In the end, they had to build the Awka Stadium on their own when the promised FIFA initiative failed to happen.

Obi mentioned that since 2013, approximately $25 million is said to have been received by the NFF from FIFA and CAF for football and youth development, but there’s hardly anything to show for it. He referred to the $1.2 million stadium in Kebbi State as a national disgrace.

He also condemned leaders who blame others for “demarketing” Nigeria by revealing corruption, stating that the true demarketers are ineffective officials who mishandle and embezzle public money, denying young people access to education, medical care, employment, and sports facilities.

Our young people are our greatest treasures, but we have ruined their future and then accused them of being ‘Yahoo boys,’” Obi tweeted. “The leaders who steal from them are the true ‘Yahoo’ in our country.

Obi emphasized that restoring Nigeria demands honesty and responsibility across all areas. “Until that happens, our country will keep moving forward slowly when it should be flying,” he stated.