Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the delay in paying Super Eagles players their allowances, describing it as a reflection of misplaced priorities in governance and a stain on Nigeria’s national values.
“You cannot expect excellence from those who represent your country while failing to honour clear commitments made to them,” Obi said in reaction to the controversy. “When we neglect people who give us pride on the global stage, we diminish our national values.”
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His comments come as Nigeria’s national football team continues an impressive run at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), lifting spirits at home and earning admiration across the continent. However, reports that players are yet to receive agreed match bonuses and allowances have cast a shadow over the team’s campaign, just days before a crucial quarter-final encounter.
According to sources familiar with the team’s preparations, the allowances were agreed upon before the tournament began but have not been fully paid. While officials have attempted to downplay the issue, critics warn that the uncertainty risks distracting players at a decisive stage of the competition and undermining morale within the camp.
The situation has sparked widespread criticism from sports analysts, fans and civil society observers, many of whom describe the delay as an avoidable embarrassment for Africa’s most populous nation. They argue that the controversy is particularly troubling at a time when the Super Eagles’ success has provided a rare sense of unity and optimism in a country grappling with economic hardship and social tension.
Beyond football, the issue has reignited debate about government spending priorities. Commentators have pointed out that Nigeria has, in recent years, written off trillions of naira in debts owed by government agencies and politically connected entities, while committing vast sums to large-scale projects often criticised as wasteful or self-serving. Against this backdrop, the inability or unwillingness to promptly pay relatively modest match bonuses to national athletes has struck many Nigerians as both ironic and unacceptable.
Sports administrators maintain that efforts are underway to resolve the matter, but the delay has already generated negative headlines and intense backlash on social media. Fans have expressed frustration that a team representing the nation on a major continental stage is once again facing financial uncertainty, a problem they note has recurred across multiple tournaments and administrations.
For the players, the timing could hardly be worse. With a quarter-final match looming, focus and cohesion are critical. Former internationals have warned that unresolved off-field issues can affect on-field performance, even among seasoned professionals. “At this level, preparation is not just physical and tactical,” one former Super Eagles star said. “Peace of mind matters.”
Analysts say the episode reflects a broader governance challenge. Nigeria’s repeated struggles to honour agreements with its athletes have, in the past, led to strikes, protests and, in some cases, international embarrassment. Each incident, critics argue, chips away at the country’s credibility and sends a discouraging message to young talents aspiring to represent the nation.
As the Super Eagles continue their quest for continental glory, many Nigerians are urging authorities to act swiftly, settle outstanding obligations and allow the team to focus solely on football. They insist that honouring commitments to national representatives is not merely a contractual obligation, but a matter of national pride and respect.
For a country eager to project competence, unity and professionalism on the global stage, observers say resolving the allowance issue promptly would be a small but significant step toward breaking a cycle of avoidable embarrassment.