Financial arrangements surrounding Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign came into focus on Thursday after the Federal Government confirmed that group-stage bonuses owed to the Super Eagles have been paid and are being credited to players’ accounts.
The Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, addressed the issue following reports that members of the national team were considering skipping training sessions and delaying travel plans for their quarter-final fixture against Algeria in Marrakesh over unpaid entitlements.
In a statement posted on her official X account, the minister said the matter had been resolved through joint action by the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria. She explained that systems had been aligned to ensure quicker and more predictable disbursement of players’ bonuses.
According to Uzoka-Anite, all bonuses accrued during the group stage of the tournament have been fully processed and cleared through the relevant regulatory procedures. She said the government also introduced an expedited process to convert the funds into foreign currency, in line with the players’ preference for payment into domiciliary accounts.
She added that transfers to the players’ accounts were already in progress, with the funds expected to reflect within the next 24 hours.
The minister said the government remained focused on maintaining the welfare and morale of the team as the competition enters the knockout stage, noting that steps were being taken to prevent off-field issues from affecting performance.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are preparing for their quarter-final match at AFCON 2025, with the latest update expected to ease concerns over the team’s preparations ahead of the encounter.
