Those Who Loot Sports Funds Are The Real Yahoo Leaders—Peter Obi Slams NFF Over FIFA Stadium Scandal

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged misuse of FIFA funds by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Obi described it as another sign of Nigeria’s deep-rooted corruption.

Reacting on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Obi expressed disappointment over FIFA’s revelation that $1.2 million released to the NFF for stadium construction and youth football development had been mismanaged.

He said the scandal reflects the decay in Nigeria’s governance system, where funds meant for youth empowerment and sports are diverted without accountability.

Obi recalled that during his tenure as Anambra governor, Awka was chosen as one of six sites for a FIFA-funded stadium.

Land was allocated for the project, but nothing materialized.

He added that the state government later had to build the Awka Stadium on its own after the FIFA initiative failed to take off.

Citing reports that the NFF received about $25 million from FIFA and CAF since 2013, Obi said there was little to show for it.

The former governor described the $1.2 million mini-stadium in Kebbi State as a “national embarrassment.”

He stressed that the real “Yahoo boys” are corrupt leaders who steal from public funds meant to uplift the nation’s youth.

Obi urged authorities to conduct a full investigation into the misuse of sports development funds, insisting that accountability and integrity must return to public service.

“Our youths are our most prized assets, yet we have destroyed their future and then turned around to label them “Yahoo boys,” when, in truth, the leaders who have robbed them of their future are the real “Yahoo” of our nation.”

“A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.