Mikel Obi recounts how he secured unpaid bonuses for Super Eagles players at 2018 World Cup

Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has recounted how he secured the unpaid bonuses of Super Eagles players during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The former Chelsea star speaking on ‘The Obi One Podcast’ disclosed he had to escalate the matter to the office of former President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure payment of their bonuses.

According to Obi, the Nigeria Football Federation had not paid players bonuses for months, despite repeated assurances from NFF officials that the money would be paid once the squad arrived at camp.

Frustration grew among the players as delays continued, prompting Mikel to take decisive action.

“Talking about fighting for players’ bonuses, I went above the president of the NFF to get those bonuses, which is what I did a couple of times during the World Cup,” Mikel said.

He recounted that even upon arriving at the camp, the issue remained unresolved.

“We got to camp, and I spoke to the team secretary and the president. I asked, ‘Where is the money?’ Again, they said, ‘Don’t worry, Mikel, we’ll sort it out,’” he recalled.

As days passed, concern among the players intensified, with many fearing they might never receive the bonuses they were promised. At that point, Mikel decided to escalate the matter directly.

“I called him and said, ‘Mr chief of staff, we have a serious issue in the national team. We need this money to settle the players. This is what was promised. 24 hours later, a private plane arrived. The money was delivered to the hotel, hand to hand. Millions of dollars.

“I took the money and handed it to the team secretary and told him to hold it. I said, ‘Make sure this money does not go to the president or anyone else. This money belongs to the players.”