By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has cleared the outstanding payment of around N12 billion that the federal government owed the Super Eagles and other footballers of the country.
According to a statement on the X handle of Tinubu’s Media Centre on Sunday, the payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.
“President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12 billion outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others.
“The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.
“This is coming at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is billed to start later this month,” the statement read.
The payment will serve as a booster to the Super Eagles who begin the quest for the fourth African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which starts on January 13.
Nigeria have been drawn against hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in a tricky Group A.
Nigeria will be seeking to close the gap on record seven-time winners, Egypt, and Cameroon’s five titles.
The Super Eagles triumphed most recently in 2013 in South Africa, thanks to Sunday Mba’s winner against Burkina Faso. Before then, it had won the continental tournament in 1980 and 1994.
Nigeria currently has the best player on the continent, Victor Osimhen, leading its attack with support expected from Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s gunman, Victor Boniface, Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho, and AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze among others.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Dipo Olowookere