The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is poised for a significant financial uplift with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) set to disburse a major annual grant starting in 2026.
CAF's New Financial Era for African Football
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe made the landmark announcement during a press conference ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 opening ceremony in Morocco. He revealed a comprehensive restructuring of African football finances, anchored by a massive $1 billion tender linked to the continent's senior national team competitions.
As part of this new plan, each of CAF's 54 member associations will receive an annual contribution of $1 million. For Nigeria, this translates to approximately ₦1.5 billion every year. This new amount represents a fivefold increase from the previous annual grant of $200,000 (about ₦300 million) that federations received.
A Lifeline for the Nigeria Football Federation
This incoming funding is particularly crucial for the NFF, which has faced persistent public criticism over its financial management. The federation has struggled with liquidity issues, leading to delays in paying allowances and bonuses to national teams.
In a notable incident, the Super Eagles boycotted a training session before a 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon in protest over unpaid bonuses dating back to 2019. Although the backlog was eventually cleared, it highlighted the federation's cash-flow problems. Similar financial strains have affected other national teams, including the Super Falcons.
The NFF has also been battling allegations of mismanaging funds from the FIFA Forward Programme, through which it has received $1.2 million. The federation has denied these claims, stating that FIFA monitors all project phases directly and does not hand cash to associations.
Broader Changes in African Football Landscape
Dr. Motsepe's announcement is part of a wider set of reforms set to reshape African football from 2026. The most significant change is the shift of the Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle after the 2027 edition in East Africa. This means AFCON will next be held in 2028, aligning it more closely with other major continental tournaments.
The increased funding is designed to empower national associations to develop football sustainably at all levels. For Nigeria, the consistent injection of ₦1.5 billion annually could provide a more stable financial base for:
- Clearing outstanding debts to players and staff.
- Investing in grassroots and youth development programmes.
- Improving infrastructure and logistics for national teams.
- Enhancing administrative capacities within the federation.
Dr. Motsepe, who was re-elected for another four-year term in March, has made financial restructuring a cornerstone of his presidency since taking over in 2021. The success of the $1 billion tender will be key to fulfilling these new financial commitments to member associations like the NFF.
As African football enters this new financial era, all eyes will be on how federations, including Nigeria's, utilize these increased resources to elevate the game on the continent.
