Afcon 2023: President Tinubu clears ₦12 billion outstanding NFF payment

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has cleared a ₦12 billion outstanding payment in an attempt to ensure the commitments of the footballers to international success.

This was contained in a statement made available on Sunday via the X handle of Tinubu’s Media Centre with just a week to go before the 2023 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) tournament in Côte d’Ivoire gets underway.

Nigeria is seeking a fourth African title (after wins in 1980,1994, and 2013) which will put them at par with West African arch-rivals Ghana, and leave only Egypt (seven wins) and Cameroon (five wins) ahead of them in the inverted pyramid of glory.

With this sum, the administrators of sports would be able to help coaches of the national teams and other sports within the jurisdiction of the sports ministry to pay off past-due salaries and other outstanding bills to motivate them ahead of the competitions lined up for the year.

The Eagles will play their first match against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.

“President @officialABAT has approved the payment of ₦12 billion outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others,” the statement reads.

“The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.

“This is coming at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is billed to start later this month.”