By Our Correspondent
National News – Some members of Nigeria’s U-20 men’s national football team, the Flying Eagles, have urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle unpaid bonuses and camp allowances totaling $1.5 million.
The demand covers qualification bonuses for six major tournaments between 2023 and 2025, as well as pre-tournament camp allowances spanning about 65 days.
Players from both squads participated in the WAFU B Cup, U-20 AFCON, and U-20 World Cup during this period.
The 2023 Flying Eagles, coached by Ladan Bosso, qualified for the U-20 AFCON, won the WAFU B Cup final against Benin Republic, and secured a World Cup spot after finishing third at the AFCON in Egypt.
In 2025, under coach Aliyu Zubair, the team lost the WAFU B Cup final to Ivory Coast but qualified for the AFCON and later the U-20 World Cup in Chile, finishing in the round of 16 after a 4–0 defeat to Argentina.
Players allege the NFF has only shown willingness to pay daily camp allowances, ignoring the promised $5,000 qualification bonus per player and staff for each tournament.
A source within the federation confirmed efforts are underway to offset these debts before the NFF elective congress.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi reassured that payments are being processed and “a substantial amount will be paid,” although not all at once.
The federation’s outstanding bonus issues are not limited to the Flying Eagles, as similar concerns arose with the Super Eagles during the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup playoffs.
The House of Representatives previously summoned NFF officials over these pending payments.
The Flying Eagles’ plea raises questions on how age-grade teams are compensated, highlighting ongoing tensions between player welfare and administrative procedures in Nigerian football.
Fans and stakeholders continue to monitor whether the federation will honor the full bonuses owed.
