NFF’s Salary Scandal - How Administrative Failure Killed Nigerian Football
NFF: The Systemic Failure Behind Eagles' Loss
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is not just failing to pay; it’s running an administrative pattern of institutional neglect that actively sabotages the Super Eagles.
The problem came to a head in November 2025 when players boycotted their final training session ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Gabon. The debt stretched back to 2019, nearly 30 games played for the country, unpaid. Captain William Troost-Ekong’s public declaration was not an isolated complaint; it was the latest power play in a decades-long crisis.
Player Strikes: The Only Guarantee
For generations of Super Eagles, taking the field means first fighting the NFF. Players have learned that bonuses only appear when performance, or the lack thereof, threatens global humiliation.
Former forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni recounted the extreme measures: After the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he and Bright Igbinadolor had to physically confront an NFF official at the airport, demanding their $1,200 ticket fares. The money instantly materialized from the official's pocket.
This pattern is the system: legends like Nwankwo Kanu and Sunday Oliseh had to agree to not play major games until allowances were paid—only then would the “money come out.”
The Price of Incompetence
This administrative failure isn't just a balance sheet error; it costs Nigeria wins. Daniel Amokachi confirmed that internal disputes over unpaid 1998 World Cup bonuses created chaos in the camp the night before the knockout stage. Nigeria, having beaten a brilliant Spanish side, lost 4-1 to Denmark in the next round. The failure to pay is directly linked to performance collapse.
The most damning fact: Sunday Oliseh, who later coached the national team, is still owed two months’ salary from his 2016 contract, amounting to $26,000. He refuses to take the NFF to court, stating he "will not take Nigeria to court.”
The Accountability Crisis
The government recently attempted a bailout, approving a massive ₦12 billion to offset debt owed to the national teams. This makes the NFF’s systemic negligence all the more obvious.
Now, the House of Representatives is investigating the Federation’s use of FIFA and CAF grants received between 2015 and 2025. Allegations point to grant mismanagement and a lack of transparency. The failure to pay players is just one symptom of a deeper crisis: Who is holding the NFF accountable for the billions meant to develop Nigerian football?
The money is there. The integrity is not.
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