The Minister of Youth and Sports Sunday Dare has approved the refund of the money International Association of Athletics Federations mistakenly sent to Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

It will be recalled that the IAAF sent $150,000, in 2017, to the AFN, instead of the $15,000, which the world body was expected to contribute to the development of athletics in Nigeria.

Dare confirmed the approval via his social media handle on Wednesday evening and promised that the money will get to international body soon barring bank delay.

“I have approved the release of funds to refund the IAAF overpayment wrongly credited to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. In a few days from now the funds should hit the account of the IAAF baring any interbank delays. With this Nigeria’s reputation is regained,” he wrote.

IAAF had warned Nigeria would incur sanctions if the $134,000 that was overpaid was not returned which the immediate former sports minister, Solomon Dalung had interpreted as a threat that the IAAF would ban Nigeria from international competition.

This was later categorically denied by the IAAF, which insisted it had “no intention” to suspend the AFN.

Few hours to his departure, Dalung returned 50% of the missing money to the IAAF.

It was gathered that Dalung in a phone call with the IAAF’s president, Sebastian Coe promised to return some money which he did before he left office.

The IAAF revealed at the time that it had received an unspecified “small amount” from the AFN.

https://thesportsbay.com/32866-nigeria-refunds-iaaf-missing-money.html

Dishonest country! We waited for IAAF to request for the money before we responded. Gvernment officials are the biggest fraudsters #ScammerDalung

the fact that it took so long to return the money, says a great deal about Ministry of sport