INTERESTING developments are emerging in Nigerian football as reports reveal that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been paid his salary in advance until October 2025.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, during an interview with former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami on Eagle 7 Sports Radio 103.7 FM.
Dikko stated that the payment was facilitated by a presidentially endorsed support group aimed at re-igniting Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
After missing out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Super Eagles are once again struggling. Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C with seven points from six matches, trailing South Africa (13 points), Rwanda, and Benin Republic (eight points each).
Dikko clarified that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) remains fully responsible for Chelle’s contract, but the Sports Commission’s involvement is a goodwill gesture to support Nigeria’s qualification effort.
“We are not part of the contract, but we’re committed to ensuring the coach has all the support he needs. After all, this is about Nigeria. If we can help, we will, and we are doing just that,” Dikko said.
“When we assumed office, Nigeria had played four qualifying matches and only earned three points out of a possible twelve. It was a complicated situation,” he added.
Dikko revealed that the commission proposed the establishment of a Presidential Support Group, a public-private initiative to help fund and drive the qualification campaign. The proposal received presidential approval and, for the first time, was formally captured in the national budget.
Among the group’s first actions was stepping in to handle Chelle’s salary.
“We worked with the NFF to appoint the coach. Although the NFF signed his contract, the support group, through presidential backing, decided to fund his salary upfront until October. This will give the NFF space to secure long-term funding and sponsorship,” Dikko explained.
“It’s not the commission paying directly. The support group is providing relief so the NFF can focus on other critical needs. The idea is to settle the coach completely so he can concentrate on getting the team to the World Cup.”
