In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the disbursement of funds to settle the long-standing financial obligations owed by the Federal Government to various national sports teams, including the Super Eagles.
The announcement, made through a statement on the official handle of Tinubu’s Media Centre, detailed the approval of N12 billion to address the backlog of payments, covering a range of financial commitments. This includes the settling of salaries for senior national team coaches spanning 15 months, as well as the fulfillment of allowances and commitments owed to both the senior national teams, female teams, and the Under-20 national team.
The statement emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting Nigerian sports, especially as the Super Eagles gear up for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to commence later this month.
The development follows past grievances raised by the Super Eagles concerning the release of funds. In 2020, the team expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in receiving the approved N1.5 billion allocated for their participation in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite finishing third in the tournament, the players were left waiting for their rightful dues.
A source within the Nigeria Football Federation revealed that, at the time, funds designated for the Super Falcons and the Flying Eagles had to be redirected to ensure the Super Eagles’ preparation for the tournament.
Highlighting the ongoing financial struggles, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa spoke out in January 2022, confirming that the Federal Government owed his teammates bonuses for two games. Musa, during a press conference in Abuja, stated, “Regarding the bonus, I think they are just owing us for two games now. Yeah, two games. There is no other outstanding outside these two games.” He also mentioned plans for discussions with the coach and NFF officials to determine the next course of action.