Former Labour Party presidential hopeful Peter Obi has slammed the financial turmoil engulfing the Super Eagles, calling it a glaring symptom of a nation in decay.
His outburst follows a boycott by players and officials of the Nigerian national team, who skipped Tuesday’s training session to protest unpaid allowances owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The players are still waiting for dues tied to their 2025 AFCON qualification and 2026 World Cup playoff preparations.
In a scathing tweet, Obi lamented that the athletes are left in the lurch while “we always seem to find money to waste on needless lavish spending and political patronage.”
He added: “When those who serve their country are not treated with dignity, it sends the wrong message to our youth, that hard work and service are not rewarded. Those who represent Nigeria deserve to be paid promptly and treated with respect. We must do better.”
Obi’s criticism echoes his broader concerns about Nigeria’s deteriorating economic landscape, which he has repeatedly described as unsustainable.
The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon in the semi‑final of the 2026 African World Cup playoffs on Thursday, with the winner advancing to meet either Congo DR or Cameroon for the sole African slot at the intercontinental playoff.
The team’s participation hangs in the balance until the outstanding payments are settled.
