Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance has issued an important update aimed at easing tensions ahead of AFCON 2025, assuring the Super Eagles that their outstanding bonuses will be paid promptly, avoiding the disputes that have marred past tournaments.
The reassurance comes after players and members of the coaching crew reportedly threatened to boycott training following four straight victories without receiving their agreed match bonuses a recurring issue in Nigerian football.
In response, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had taken emergency steps to fast-track payments by bypassing bureaucratic bottlenecks and crediting players’ domiciliary accounts directly.
She said the Federal Government, working with the CBN, had streamlined foreign exchange processing to ensure the team is paid without further delay, effectively averting a potential crisis ahead of the quarter-final clash with Algeria.