NFF Responds to Flying Eagles’ Unpaid Bonuses Dispute
The Nigeria Football Federation has responded to growing concerns over unpaid bonuses and allowances owed to members of the Flying Eagles, following complaints from players across the 2023 and 2025 squads, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Several players have called on the federation to settle outstanding qualification bonuses and camp allowances accumulated over a three-year period. The affected players featured in competitions such as the WAFU B Cup, the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with payments reportedly tied to six major tournaments and about 65 days of camping.
Under former head coach Ladan Bosso, the 2023 squad won the WAFU B Cup after defeating Benin Republic in the final, finished third at the U-20 AFCON in Egypt, and reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina before losing to South Korea.
In 2025, the team, led by Aliyu Zubair, finished runners-up at the WAFU B Cup after losing narrowly to Ivory Coast but still qualified for the U-20 AFCON. They progressed to the semi-finals of the continental tournament, securing a World Cup ticket, and eventually placed fourth. The team later exited the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile after a 4–0 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16.
Sources revealed that players and officials were promised a $5,000 qualification bonus per tournament, along with daily camp allowances of $100. The structure was introduced after the NFF scrapped match bonuses for age-grade teams in 2017 during the administration of former president Amaju Pinnick.
However, some players allege that while the federation may consider settling outstanding camp allowances, qualification bonuses could be excluded. One player claimed that about 25 days of unpaid allowances from 2023 amount to $2,500, while roughly 40 days from 2025 total $4,000 per player.
Another source indicated that the NFF has begun moves to address the debts ahead of its forthcoming elective congress, amid fears the issue could become a major talking point.
Responding to the claims, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi denied suggestions that the federation intends to default on payments.
“If I were them, I would have waited to see. What evidence do they have that the NFF is planning to neglect part of the money?” Sanusi said.
He added that while immediate full payment may not be possible, a significant portion of the outstanding sums would be settled, stressing that all matches played by the team had official approval.
The development adds to a series of financial disputes involving the NFF, including bonus-related concerns previously raised by the Super Eagles during the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, as well as scrutiny from the House of Representatives Committee on Sports in 2023 over similar issues affecting the Flying Eagles.
-BSNSports
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