The Nigeria Football Federation terminates contractor for FIFA-funded Ugborodo stadium; Monimichelle Sports sues for N10bn, alleging illegal termination

Lagos, 4 November 2025 — The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has terminated the contract of the handler of the FIFA-funded mini stadium in Ugborodo, Delta State, after the contractor allegedly failed to return to the site within the stipulated time, The PUNCH reports.

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The contractor, Monimichelle Sports, is now suing the NFF for N10bn in damages, claiming the project was abandoned without due process.

The Ugborodo stadium is the twin project of the FIFA-funded mini stadium in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, both funded under the FIFA Forward Programme, which supports football development across FIFA member associations.

Each stadium is estimated to be worth $1.2 million, but while the Birnin Kebbi stadium has been operational for two years, the Ugborodo project remains stalled.

Monimichelle Sports’ CEO, Ebi Egbe, distanced the firm from allegations of mismanagement, stating that the NFF terminated the contract illegally.

“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 NFF concerning the illegal termination of our contract without proper procedures. We are also taking legal action for defamation, seeking N10bn in damages,” Egbe said in a social media post obtained by The PUNCH.

The NFF, through its General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, stated that the contractor was given a two-week ultimatum to return to the site and match the work to the funds disbursed, which he failed to do.

“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 paid to him. FIFA was aware, and he did not go back to the site, so it stands terminated because it is FIFA’s money,” Sanusi said.

The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Task Force confirmed that the NFF had disbursed approximately $500,000 to Monimichelle Sports in two tranches:

• $262,116.28 on 25 October 2020
• $306,045.52 on 7 May 2021

These are reportedly the only payments the contractor received for the project.

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The legal battle is expected to draw attention to accountability and oversight in FIFA-funded projects in Nigeria, particularly amid ongoing concerns over financial mismanagement in sports infrastructure.