President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N12 billion to settle all outstanding salaries owed to the Super Eagles and other national sports teams ahead of the highly anticipated 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The announcement, which was made public through President Tinubu’s official social media accounts, stated that the money had been set aside with the intention of paying senior national team coaches’ arrears in addition to unpaid allowances and obligations owed by the senior, female, and Under-20 national teams.
It was disclosed that the payment covers the settlement of unpaid allowances and the clearing of senior national team coaches’ salaries spanning up to 15 months and pledges made to the Under-20, senior, and female national teams.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the payment of the N12 billion outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s national teams, including super eagles and others,” the succinct statement stated. The payment comprises paying allowances and pledges owed to the senior national teams, women, and Under-20 national teams, as well as clearing the senior national team coaches’ salary, which can last up to 15 months. This is happening as the Nigerian Super Eagles are getting ready to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to begin later this month.
The 2023 African Cup of Nations will begin from January 13th to February 11th, 2024, in the Ivory Coast as 24 nations compete for the title.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in Group A alongside host Ivory Coast and Africa’s other two Guinean nations, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles will kick off their quest for a fourth AFCON title.
They will take on Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14, in their first match of Group A, before further clashes with Ivory Coast on January 18 and Guinea-Bissau on January 22.