SCORENigeria can exclusively report today that the NFF have paid 10% of the bonuses and allowances they owed the Super Eagles going back to several years.
The bonuses were paid US Dollars.
By the last estimate, the NFF were yet to pay the Super Eagles bonuses and allowances for 29 matches.
Last year, President Bola Tinubu released 17 Billion Naira to cover these debts as well as that of the Flying Eagles, Falconets and Golden Eaglets.
In November, as only reported by SCORENigeria, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau met with the players in Abidjan after a 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin and promised they will soon receive 10% of what was due to them.
Some officials said the 10% was agreed by the leadership of the Super Eagles and now it is left to be seen whether this payment will go down well with the rest of the team.
The NFF have swung into action to ensure that the Super Eagles are fired up to fly high when the 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume in March.
SCORENigeria reported this week that the team were paid the bonuses for the home wins over Benin and Libya in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
In November, the players openly told the NFF president that they lacked motivation on account of what of owed them.
The NFF have also appointed a foreign coach, Eric Chelle, to oversee the World Cup qualifiers.
A top official told SCORENigeria: “The target is to turn around our fading hopes to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.”
Nigeria are second bottom of Group C with three points from their first four matches.
Rwanda, South Africa and Benin are the group front runners on seven points apiece, while Lesotho are fourth on five points.
Zimbabwe are bottom of the standings on two points.
