Contract Extension Confirmed by NSC
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed a new agreement with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, extending his tenure beyond the original contract that was set to expire in December 2026. The announcement was made by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko during a press conference on Tuesday, as reported by Cable NG.
Improved Remuneration and Expanded Role
Under the new terms, Chelle's salary has been doubled from $50,000 per month to $100,000 per month, according to OwnGoal Nigeria. The NSC will also cover the salaries of his assistant coaches. Additionally, Chelle will take charge of the U23 national team, with the primary objective of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics—a milestone Nigeria has not achieved since the Rio 2016 Games.
Dikko stated: "I can confirm to you that we have reached a new term with the coach. We are going to increase his money and also take care of his assistants who are helping him. And there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table, and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it." He added: "We have also discussed how we can build for the future. In that aspect, we also agree with the coach and the NFF that the coach should take care of the U-23 national team."
Background on Chelle's Tenure
Chelle took over the Super Eagles in January 2025 on a two-year contract, tasked with revitalizing Nigeria's World Cup campaign. Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup, Chelle earned praise for his team's performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third. This success prompted widespread calls from Nigerians for the football authorities to secure his long-term future.
