By Nnamdi Onyeagwara and Jay Harris
The issue of Nigerian players not receiving bonuses relating to their participation in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) matches has been resolved, according to the country’s minister of state finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite.
Local media reports on Wednesday suggested that Nigeria’s players and coaching staff were waiting on bonus payments promised to them by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), with the team having won all four of their AFCON matches so far — the group games against Tanzania (December 23), Tunisia (December 27) and Uganda (December 30), as well as their last-16 tie against Mozambique (January 5).
In a standoff similar to the one that took place before Nigeria’s World Cup play-off victory over Gabon on November 13, when the squad boycotted training the day before the game, reports said the squad would not train or travel to Marrakech to play their AFCON quarter-final against Algeria on Saturday if the issue was not resolved.
However, Uzoka-Anite on Thursday said that the issue is close to being resolved, with the delays supposedly caused by “foreign exchange processing”. The Athletic has approached the NFF for comment on the situation.
“The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have successfully streamlined the foreign exchange processing to ensure our players are rewarded without further delay,” Uzoka-Anite said on X.
“Going forward, the process will be fully streamlined to ensure faster, more predictable disbursements aligned with international best practice.
“All group-stage bonuses were fully released and have now cleared the necessary regulatory stages. We have implemented a fast-track conversion process to move funds into foreign currency, honouring the players’ preferences. The final transfers to domiciliary accounts are currently in flight. Players can expect these funds to reflect starting today or tomorrow.
“Our focus remains entirely on supporting the team’s welfare so they can maintain their incredible momentum in the knockout rounds. We move forward with one goal: Bringing the trophy home.”
In November, then-Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong said the squad “had to make a stand” for themselves and “send a message to their country and the next generation of players” after boycotting training.
Though Nigeria’s on-pitch AFCON 2025 has been near faultless, scoring 12 goals in their four straight wins, it has not been a completely smooth campaign.
The 4-0 victory over Mozambique on Monday was overshadowed by an on-pitch altercation involving forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Osimhen was visibly upset, seemingly after not receiving a pass from Lookman, despite having scored twice already, and his side boasting a 3-0 lead.
A month before AFCON, former Nigeria international Mikel John Obi announced his interest in taking a leadership role within the NFF in November, due to the team’s failure to qualify for the men’s World Cup and perceived issues within the federation.
“What is happening to Nigerian football is a disaster,” Mikel said on his podcast. “We are crying for help. We are reclining, and there is nothing that gives us joy.
“There is transparency, no accountability, no transparency. The NFF has to go, it has to change.”
The New York Times