Our Reporter, Abuja
Former presidential candidate and African Democratic Congress chieftain, Peter Obi, has strongly criticised the reported failure to pay winning bonuses owed to Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, describing the situation as a national embarrassment at a time when the country desperately needs positive news.
Obi’s reaction followed reports that the Super Eagles were threatening to boycott their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Algeria over unpaid bonuses agreed upon before the tournament. The development has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s sports administration.
In a statement on Wednesday, Obi expressed dismay that Nigeria continues to be plagued by troubling news, even as the national team provides rare moments of joy and unity through its on-field performances. He noted that the Super Eagles’ recent victories have lifted spirits across the country and enhanced Nigeria’s image globally, only for that goodwill to be undermined by administrative failures.
“At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity, something the Super Eagles have been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits worldwide, these same players are being denied their basic match allowances,” Obi said.
He questioned the government’s priorities, contrasting the alleged inability to pay players’ bonuses with what he described as the routine writing off of trillions of naira in debts for government agencies and political allies, as well as spending on large-scale projects that offer little immediate benefit to citizens.
“A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay the basic match bonuses owed to our players,” the opposition political leader said.
According to Obi, the situation sends a damaging signal to the international community and reflects a broader failure to honour agreements. He stressed that Nigeria had an obligation to pay allowances that were clearly agreed upon before the commencement of the tournament.
“Nigeria deserves a better international image than this ongoing failure to honour previously agreed-upon allowances,” he said, adding that the players do not deserve the embarrassment or the distraction ahead of a crucial AFCON fixture.
The Super Eagles have, in the past, faced similar disputes over unpaid bonuses at major tournaments, often leading to tension between players and football authorities. Analysts warn that such issues can negatively affect team morale and performance, especially at critical stages of competition.
Obi further called on the authorities to fulfil their obligations and learn from repeated mistakes, saying the issue was part of a larger push for accountability and responsible governance.
As of the time of reporting, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation had yet to issue a formal response on the status of the players’ allowances, while fans continued to urge swift resolution to allow the team focus fully on their AFCON campaign.
