In a move to quell rising tensions and ensure focus remains on the pitch, the Director-General of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has provided a comprehensive update on the financial situation surrounding the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This clarification comes amid reports that players had threatened to boycott training and travel ahead of their crucial quarter-final clash against Algeria.
Dikko, speaking from the team’s base in Fès, Morocco, confirmed that all financial entitlements for players and officials have been formally resolved. He revealed a critical detail often lost in such discussions: President Bola Tinubu had approved the team’s entire AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025. This early approval was a strategic step to align the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the players, preventing the last-minute disputes that have plagued Nigerian football in previous tournaments.
“From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko stated, while drawing an important distinction for public understanding. “Approving the money is one thing, processing it is another. The players know the funds have been approved and are being released.” This process involves multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which Dikko confirmed are working to ensure timely disbursement.
Behind the Scenes: Transparency in Negotiations
Dikko offered rare insight into the negotiation process, highlighting a model of transparency that marks a departure from past controversies. He detailed that the NSC and NFF held direct meetings with the team captain, co-captain, and senior players to agree on a clear, stage-by-stage bonus structure for the entire tournament, up to the final.
“We sat down, negotiated, and agreed on what the players are entitled to. Everybody is clear,” he emphasized. “The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage.” This pre-tournament agreement is a best-practice measure designed to eliminate uncertainty and allow players to concentrate solely on performance.
Payment Status: What’s Been Settled, What’s Pending
The NSC DG provided a precise breakdown of the payment timeline:
- Daily Allowances (Per Diems): Fully settled and paid in cash as requested by the team. This covers incidental expenses for players and officials while in camp and traveling.
- Match Bonuses: Formally approved and currently in the processing stage for payment. These performance-based incentives are tied to results at each knockout stage.
This financial clarity arrives as the Super Eagles are in peak form, having won all their matches and scored 12 goals en route to the quarter-finals. The team is now preparing to depart Fès for Marrakech ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster encounter with Algeria’s Desert Foxes.
The proactive communication from the NSC appears calculated to remove any potential distraction and foster a stable environment for the team. By publicly detailing the approval timeline, negotiation process, and payment status, the authorities aim to demonstrate a reformed approach to team management, ensuring that the Eagles’ flight in AFCON 2025 is powered by talent and unity, not hindered by off-field disputes.
