Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has dismissed concerns over unpaid entitlements to Super Eagles players and officials, stating that all financial issues surrounding the team’s participation at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been addressed.
Dikko’s remarks follow reports that players were unhappy over payments and had considered skipping training sessions or delaying travel plans ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final encounter with Algeria in Marrakech.
In an interview, Dikko explained that President Bola Tinubu approved the full AFCON budget for the Super Eagles in November 2025, ensuring alignment between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the national team.
“The entire AFCON budget was approved on November 14, 2025. From our side, funding has been fully taken care of,” he said.
He noted that while approval of funds and actual disbursement do not always occur simultaneously, the players were aware that the financial commitments had already been sanctioned.
“Approval is one stage, processing is another. But the players know the funds have been approved and are being processed,” Dikko added.
According to him, discussions were held with the NFF, team captain, co-captain and other senior players to reach a clear agreement on match bonuses and entitlements up to the final of the tournament.
“We engaged the leadership of the team and agreed on all entitlements up to the final. There is no ambiguity,” he said.
Dikko stressed that the players are fully aware of the bonus structure attached to each phase of the competition and what is expected of them on the pitch.
He also confirmed that the only immediate cash request made by the players — daily allowances — had already been paid.
“That request has been sorted. The allowances have been made available,” he said.
Match bonuses, he added, have been approved and are currently undergoing payment processing, with relevant government institutions facilitating the release.
“The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria are handling the process. Everything will be paid on time,” Dikko assured.
The Super Eagles remain unbeaten at the tournament, scoring 12 goals on their way to the quarter-finals. Nigeria are set to face Algeria for a place in the semi-finals, with the team expected to travel from Fès to Marrakech on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s match at the Stade de Marrakech.
