The minister for Sports Development, John Owan-Enoh said that President Bola Tinubu in a clear commitment to sports development has approved the backlog of outstanding payments that are due for the national teams and coaches of various sports, totalling about twelve billion naira (N12b)
The minister disclosed this on Saturday, January 6, while addressing numerous guests that graced his thanksgiving service to appreciate God for his appointment as minister in the Federal Executive Cabinet.
He noted that no president of the country has shown the level of commitment displayed by President Tinubu in the development of sports in the country.
He said: “The senior team national coach has not been paid for 15 months, the salary is about $1.350 million. The senior national team and other national teams; females, under 20 had a backlog of unpaid allowances, unpaid promises, and all of that piling up close to about N12 billion, the president has approved all of that payment. There’s no better way to show support and leadership than what he has done.”
The minister said President Tinubu is committed to returning happiness to Nigerian homes because “when we win there’s happiness spread across the land and we are working hard.”
He challenged the senior national team to know what they were doing and that the whole country would be waiting in anticipation of the outcome of their matches.
He noted that the sports sector in the country has been often very controversial, “every step you take is controversial but to the glory of God I’m able to navigate through that and we are not in any controversy.”
He added: “People say I got the toughest job as the minister of Sport development. It’s only in sports that we compete with other countries and regions of the globe. The AFCON game is around the corner, later we will be competing with the rest of the world in the Olympics and Paralympics; we are committed to making a mark in sports development.”
Heads of different Sports’ federations in the country were among the dignitaries that graced the occasion.
According to a statement on the X handle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Center, 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 Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre (@PBATMediaCentre) January 7, 2024
The statement reads, “President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12billon 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.”
