The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has debunked claims circulating on social media suggesting that it owed late former Super Eagles captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, the sum of $128,000 before his passing on Saturday.
Speaking on the issue, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, dismissed the allegations as baseless, stating categorically that there is no documentation or financial record within the Federation indicating any outstanding debt owed to the former national team handler.
Sanusi explained that during the first tenure of the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board, a dedicated committee was set up with the mandate to scrutinise and verify claims of unpaid salaries and entitlements by coaches who had served under previous administrations. According to him, the committee was thorough in its review and ensured that all genuine debts were settled promptly.
He confirmed that Christian Chukwu served as head coach of the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2005 before he was relieved of his duties following a 1-1 draw against Angola in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match played in Kano. “To the best of our records, there is no evidence showing that the Federation is indebted to the late coach,” Sanusi maintained.
Challenging those behind the online claims, the NFF General Secretary urged anyone in possession of verifiable and authentic documents proving any form of financial obligation to Chukwu—or any other coach who had worked with any of Nigeria’s national teams in the past two decades—to present such evidence.
“As a responsible organisation, if any credible documentation proving legitimate debt owed to any coach is submitted, we will not hesitate to clear the arrears immediately,” he assured.
The NFF’s response comes amid a wave of tributes pouring in for Christian Chukwu, popularly known as “Chairman,” who captained Nigeria to its first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 1980 and later coached the national team. His death has reignited discussions about the welfare and treatment of past heroes in Nigerian football.
