-
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has thrown his support behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), describing it as a major opportunity for football development.
-
Pinnick believes the plan could provide millions of dollars in additional funding for member associations, particularly in Africa, reducing their dependence on government support.
-
Speaking on Arise TV, the FIFA executive argued that the real issue is not the proposal itself but ensuring transparency and accountability in how the funds are managed.
July 31, (THEWILL) — As FIFA’s proposal to create the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) continues to divide the football world, former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick, has emerged as one of its strongest supporters.
While UEFA and CONCACAF have rejected the proposal due to governance concerns, Pinnick, in an appearance on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, argued that the initiative could transform football development, especially across Africa.
Here are five major points from his interview.
1. Infantino Has the Right to Table the Proposal
Pinnick dismissed suggestions that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had acted improperly by introducing the FFE proposal.
According to him, every leader has the responsibility to present ideas they believe will benefit their organisation, while members retain the right to either approve or reject them.
He urged critics not to label every major policy proposal as a controversy, insisting that debate and voting are part of good governance.
2. Member Associations Stand to Gain the Most
One of Pinnick’s strongest arguments centred on the financial benefits for FIFA’s 211 member associations.
Under the proposed FFE model, FIFA would sell a minority stake in a new commercial entity valued at around $20 billion, with proceeds expected to strengthen football development worldwide.
Pinnick said associations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and South Africa could each receive about $20 million, describing the federations themselves as the biggest beneficiaries of the initiative.
3. He Says African Football Needs This Financial Boost
Drawing from his experience as NFF president, Pinnick recalled the financial difficulties many African football associations face.
He revealed that there were occasions when he personally supported smaller football nations to help them fulfil international fixtures, highlighting the funding challenges across the continent.
According to him, combining an estimated $20 million from the proposed FFE with existing support from FIFA’s Forward Programme could provide around $40 million for each association.
Such funding, he argued, would significantly reduce reliance on government allocations and allow federations to operate more independently.
4. His Support Is Based on Past Experience With Infantino
Pinnick said his confidence in the proposal stems from his experience working with Infantino over the years.
He recalled initially doubting promises made during Infantino’s campaign for the FIFA presidency, particularly when the Swiss administrator pledged to increase funding for member associations.
However, Pinnick said those commitments were eventually fulfilled, with FIFA substantially increasing financial support to national associations after Infantino assumed office.
For him, that track record provides reason to believe the latest proposal could also deliver meaningful results.
5. Accountability Matters More Than the Proposal Itself
While backing the initiative, Pinnick acknowledged that proper oversight would be essential.
He argued that the real concern should not be whether FIFA attracts private investment, but whether the resulting funds are managed transparently and distributed responsibly.
According to him, strong governance, effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms will determine whether the programme achieves its intended goals.
What Pinnick’s Position Means for African Football
Pinnick’s comments offer a sharply different perspective from the opposition voiced by UEFA and CONCACAF.
Rather than viewing the FFE proposal as a threat to football’s future, he believes it represents a rare opportunity for African federations to secure long-term financial stability.
If implemented as proposed, the additional funding could help national associations improve infrastructure, organise more international matches, strengthen youth development programmes and reduce dependence on inconsistent government funding.
Whether FIFA’s proposal ultimately succeeds remains uncertain, but Pinnick’s intervention has added an influential African voice to one of the biggest governance debates currently shaping world football.
