Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed disappointment over the unpaid allowances owed to members of the Super Eagles, describing the situation as a reflection of Nigeria’s governance failures.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Mr. Obi criticized the government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for neglecting the national team despite spending lavishly on less important matters.
“It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles, who consistently give their best in representing our nation, are being owed their allowances,” he wrote. “We somehow always find money for unnecessary extravagance and political patronage, yet cannot meet our obligations to those who serve the country with pride. It is a shameful reflection of what our nation has become.”
Mr. Obi added that the development exposes a deep moral decline within Nigeria’s leadership, noting that failure to honour those who represent the country sends the wrong message to young people.
“When those who serve their country are not treated with dignity, it discourages hard work and patriotism. Our players deserve prompt payment and respect. We simply must do better,” he added.
Background: Super Eagles Boycott Training in Morocco
Obi’s comments follow reports from Rabat, Morocco, where members of the Super Eagles boycotted training on Tuesday in protest over unpaid bonuses and allowances. The players, according to sources, have vowed not to return to camp activities until the NFF clears all outstanding debts.
The protest has disrupted Nigeria’s preparations for Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff match against Gabon.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the players’ frustration is rooted in years of repeated financial neglect by football authorities, not just the latest arrears.
Recurring Problem
The current standoff mirrors a long history of financial disputes between Nigerian players and their administrators. Teams from as far back as the 1994 AFCON-winning squad to the 2018 World Cup contingent have faced similar issues of unpaid dues and broken promises.
Former captain and coach Sunday Oliseh once alleged that during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, the NFF withheld players’ agreed share of FIFA funds. “We agreed to split $1 million from FIFA — half for the federation and half for the players,” he said. “But key players were removed to avoid paying their part.”
While this long-running mistrust continues to cloud Nigerian football, current captain William Troost-Ekong has urged calm and accuracy in reporting, saying:
“Once a resolution is reached, we’ll be the first to confirm it. Any other statement or demand outside our official request is false. Our focus remains on the upcoming matches.”
As of Wednesday morning, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau was reportedly meeting with players in Rabat after overnight discussions with the National Sports Commission (NSC), which claims it has already disbursed funds meant for the team’s outstanding entitlements.
