Kebbi Stadium Controversy: Pinnick Insists Project Met Global Procurement Rules

Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has defended the $1.2 million Kebbi mini-stadium project, insisting the contract followed due process and met international standards under FIFA’s Forward Programme.

Pinnick’s clarification follows widespread criticism after FIFA showcased the Kebbi facility online as one of its infrastructure achievements, sparking outrage among Nigerians who questioned how such a modest stadium could cost nearly $1.2 million.

In response, Pinnick, speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, maintained that the contract was awarded transparently under the Public Procurement Act through an open tender process.

According to him, Aeron Construction Company the firm that won the bid has a long history of handling major sports projects, including work on the Teslim Balogun Stadium and Abeokuta Stadium used for the National Sports Festival.

He explained that the project, valued at $1.2 million (about ₦400 million at the time of award), covered synthetic turf, underground drainage, stabilization, and foundation work. Despite challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was reportedly completed without any cost variation.

“The processes, the protocols, the procedures that were used to award this contract were global and also in line with our public procurement acts,” Pinnick said.

“When people keep going out screaming, ‘Nigeria is this, Nigeria is that,’ we lose a lot because of such unnecessary aspersions,” he added.

Pinnick noted that the stadium now serves as home to Kebbi United and Zamfara United football clubs and has hosted several tournaments. He dismissed claims of overpricing, insisting the facility was modest, functional, and met FIFA standards.