Dikko’s clarification comes amid reports suggesting that some players were considering a boycott of training and travel arrangements ahead of Saturday’s crucial AFCON 2025 quarter-final encounter against Algeria in Marrakech. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the NSC chairman said the situation had been misunderstood and assured that funding issues were firmly under control.
According to Dikko, President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ entire AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025, a move he said ensured alignment between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the players.
“From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko stated, adding that while approval and disbursement are separate administrative stages, players had already been informed that the funds were authorised and in the process of release.
He explained that extensive consultations were held with key stakeholders, including the NFF leadership, the team captain, co-captain and senior players, to harmonise expectations around bonuses and incentives for the tournament.
“We sat down, negotiated and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everybody is clear,” he said.
Dikko further noted that the players were fully aware of their match bonuses and incentives at every stage of the competition, having accepted the agreed terms before the tournament commenced.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” he said.
On the issue of immediate cash needs, the NSC chairman disclosed that only daily allowances were requested in cash and confirmed that these had already been settled. Match bonuses, he added, had been approved and were undergoing the standard payment process.
“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” Dikko said, pointing out that both the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria were actively involved in ensuring timely disbursement.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles’ on-field performances have continued to impress, with the team winning all their matches so far and scoring 12 goals en route to the quarter-finals. Nigeria is expected to depart Fès for Marrakech on Thursday ahead of the high-stakes clash against Algeria’s Desert Foxes at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday, scheduled for 5 p.m.