The Nigerian government confirmed that all financial entitlements owed to Super Eagles players and officials have been approved and are currently being processed for payment.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, gave the assurance following reports that players were considering boycotting training and travel plans ahead of Saturday’s AFCON 2025 quarter-final clash against Algeria in Marrakech.
Dikko disclosed that President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025, stressing that funding issues had been resolved between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the players.
“The President approved the entire AFCON budget on November 14, 2025. From our end, funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko said.
He, however, explained that while approval had been granted, administrative processing was still ongoing.
“Approval and processing are two different stages, but the players are aware that the funds have been approved and are being released,” he added.
According to the NSC Director-General, meetings were held with the NFF, team captain, co-captain, and senior players to agree on bonuses for the tournament.
“We sat down, negotiated, and agreed on the players’ entitlements up to the final. Everyone is clear on the terms,” he stated.
Dikko noted that the players accepted the agreed incentives before the tournament began and were fully aware of their bonuses at every stage.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what they will earn at each stage of the competition,” he said.
He further revealed that the only cash request made by the team was for daily allowances, which have already been settled.
“The daily allowances requested in cash have been sorted and made available,” he confirmed.
Match bonuses, he said, have also been approved and are currently undergoing payment processing.
“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing, and the money will be paid,” Dikko assured.
He added that the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were working to ensure timely disbursement of the funds.
“The Ministry of Finance and the CBN are on this, so everything will be released on time,” he said.
The Super Eagles have enjoyed an impressive AFCON campaign, winning all their matches so far and scoring 12 goals en route to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria will face Algeria’s Desert Foxes for a place in the semi-finals and are expected to travel from Fès to Marrakech on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s high-profile encounter at the Stade de Marrakech, scheduled for 5 pm.
