NSC Chairman Dikko Denies Deliberate Non-Payment of Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has dismissed claims that the Nigeria’s senior men’s national team head coach, Eric Chelle, is being deliberately owed by either the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or the NSC.

Speaking on Friday during an ARISE Television programme, Dikko addressed concerns over alleged delays in the payment of the coach’s entitlements, explaining that any setbacks are largely due to bureaucratic processes involved in accessing government funds.

“It is important to note that the NFF entered into an agreement with Eric Chelle, which the National Sports Commission consented to. We also agreed to support the Federation in the payment of his entitlements, considering the financial status of the NFF,” Dikko said.

He stressed that there is no intention to withhold Chelle’s salary, noting that delays occur between approval and actual release of funds.

“No one wants to hold on to the coach’s salaries. The bureaucratic processes involved in the release of funds in government establishments are the major issue. Getting approval in government is not the same as release and payment. These processes take time, and that is exactly why we sometimes experience delays. Nothing is deliberate.”

Dikko further revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved additional measures aimed at ensuring the speedy release of funds for sports development beginning from the new financial year.

He also dismissed reports suggesting a rift between the NSC and the NFF, describing such claims as unfounded.

“We are working harmoniously, just as we are with other federations. The leadership of the NFF and that of the NSC have been colleagues and continue to support all NFF programmes.”

The NSC Chairman concluded by assuring stakeholders that steps are being taken to improve funding mechanisms in Nigerian sports, with the goal of preventing future delays and ensuring smoother operations across all federations.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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