Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has assured that all financial entitlements for the Super Eagles players and officials have been fully resolved.
Dikko’s comments came in the wake of reports suggesting that players were threatening to boycott training and their upcoming trip to Marrakech for Saturday’s crucial match against Algeria.
He revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 2025, ensuring alignment between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation and the players.
“The president approved the entire AFCON budget on Nov. 14, 2025. From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko said.
The NSC chairman clarified that approval and processing of funds are separate steps but reassured players that the money had indeed been approved and was in the process of being released.
“Approving the money is one thing, processing it is another, but the players know the funds have been approved,” he added.
Dikko also highlighted that meetings had been held with the NFF, team captain, co-captain, and senior players to finalize tournament bonuses.
“We sat down, negotiated and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everybody is clear,” he said.
He emphasized that players were aware of their incentives and had accepted the terms before the tournament began.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” Dikko stated.
According to him, only daily allowances were requested in cash, and those had already been taken care of.
“The only cash request was daily allowances, and that has been sorted and made available,” he said.
He further confirmed that match bonuses had been approved and were in the process of being paid.
“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” he assured.
Dikko added that both the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were actively working to ensure timely disbursement.
“The Ministry of Finance and CBN are on this, so everything will come on time,” Dikko said.
On the pitch, the Super Eagles have impressed, winning all their matches and netting 12 goals on their way to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria is set to face Algeria’s Desert Foxes for a semi-final spot and is expected to depart Fès for Marrakech on Thursday ahead of the blockbuster encounter at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday by 5 pm.
