FG, CBN clear Super Eagles bonus concerns ahead of Algeria clash

The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have moved to calm growing concerns over the payment of match bonuses to the Super Eagles at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, following days of public scrutiny over reported delays linked to foreign exchange processing.

Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the issue, which drew widespread attention among fans and stakeholders, was procedural rather than financial. She confirmed that all group-stage match bonuses have now been fully released and have passed the required regulatory clearances.

According to the minister, final transfers to players’ domiciliary accounts are currently in progress and are expected to reflect from today or, at the latest, tomorrow. She explained that the delays stemmed from regulatory compliance requirements surrounding foreign exchange conversion and cross-border transfers.

“These were not issues of non-payment or unwillingness to pay. They were administrative bottlenecks related to FX processing, which had to be resolved without breaching existing financial regulations,” Uzoka-Anite said.

She added that her ministry has been working closely with the CBN and relevant financial institutions to fast-track approvals and streamline the conversion framework. The intervention led to the introduction of an accelerated FX conversion process, allowing funds to be moved more swiftly into foreign currency in line with players’ preferences.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, also addressed the issue, attributing the delays to bureaucratic processes rather than funding shortfalls. He spoke after reports emerged that the Super Eagles had threatened to boycott their quarter-final clash against Algeria over unpaid bonuses.

“The money has been released and is being processed,” Dikko said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“The NFF, the Sports Commission, the Presidency, the Minister of Finance, and the CBN are all involved. “Fundamentally, the money for this AFCON is approved and being processed through the right channels. It’s a matter of timing.”

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