The National Sports Commission (NSC) has moved to calm concerns within the Super Eagles camp after confirming that all outstanding bonuses and allowances for players and officials at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been approved and are already being paid.
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, made this known while reacting to reports suggesting that some players were considering boycotting training and travel arrangements ahead of Nigeria’s crucial clash with Algeria.
According to Dikko, President Bola Tinubu gave full approval for the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025, ensuring a unified position between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the players.
“The president approved the entire AFCON budget in November. From our end, funding issues have been completely addressed,” Dikko said.
He clarified that while approval and actual disbursement are separate administrative stages, the players have been fully briefed and are aware that the funds are already being processed.
Dikko also revealed that extensive discussions were held with the NFF leadership, the team captain, co-captain and senior players to agree on bonuses for each stage of the competition, up to the final.
“We negotiated, agreed and everyone is on the same page. The players knew their entitlements before the tournament kicked off,” he stated.
The NSC chairman stressed that the only payments requested in cash were daily allowances, which he confirmed had already been settled. Match bonuses, he added, have also been approved and are currently undergoing processing.
“The bonuses have been approved and the process is ongoing. The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria are involved to ensure everything is paid on time,” Dikko assured.
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The update comes as the Super Eagles continue an impressive AFCON campaign, having won all their matches so far and scored 12 goals to reach the quarter-finals.
Nigeria are set to battle Algeria’s Desert Foxes for a place in the semi-finals.
The team is expected to travel from Fès to Marrakech on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s showdown at the Stade de Marrakech, scheduled for 5:00 pm.