The National Sports Commission (NSC) has clarified that the delay in paying the Super Eagles their allowances for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is due to structural changes within the Federal Ministry of Finance, not a deliberate act.
Consolidated Presidential Approval for Sports Funding
NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, revealed this in Rabat, Morocco, while speaking with journalists. He stated that President Bola Tinubu did not approve a separate, specific fund for the Super Eagles' AFCON campaign. Instead, the President approved a consolidated funding package for the Commission to cover multiple international sporting events.
"The president approved a bulk sum for the Commission to fund Super Eagles’ AFCON campaign in Morocco; the Islamic Games in Riyadh; the Africa Youth Games in Angola, and other sporting engagements," Dikko explained.
Finance Ministry Restructuring Caused Delay
Dikko was quick to absolve the NSC of any blame in the delayed payment saga. He emphasized that the holdup was a direct result of ongoing structural changes within the Federal Ministry of Finance.
"The delay in the disbursement of the Super Eagles’ intervention fund in the ongoing AFCON was a result of structural changes within the Ministry of Finance," he stated. "The situation was neither deliberate nor limited to the sports sector."
Bonuses Secured and Budget Captured
Despite the administrative delay, Dikko assured that all financial obligations to the team are being addressed. He confirmed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) submitted its budget for the tournament, which the NSC is reviewing and implementing.
"The most important thing is that the players already know their bonuses for every stage they qualify for, and I can tell you that all their entitlements have been clearly addressed," Dikko said. "Those figures have been agreed upon, and the funds are already captured within the budget submitted by the NFF."
The Super Eagles, who are already through to the tournament's quarterfinal where they will face Algeria on Saturday in Marrakech, have their focus intact as the administrative processes are finalized behind the scenes.
