The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has clarified that neither the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) nor the NSC is deliberately owing the Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle.

Mallam Dikko made this known on Friday while speaking on an ARISE Television programme, where he addressed concerns over alleged delays in the payment of the coach’s entitlements.

The former Chairman of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) explained that the minor delays experienced were largely due to the bureaucratic processes involved in accessing funds from government coffers, stressing that such delays are promptly resolved once funds are released.

“It is important to note that the NFF entered into an agreement with Eric Chelle, which the National Sports Commission consented to. We also agreed to support the Federation in the payment of his entitlements, considering the financial status of the NFF,” Dikko stated.

He further emphasised that there was no intention to withhold the coach’s salary. “No one wants to hold on to the coach’s salaries. The bureaucratic processes involved in the release of funds in government establishments are the major issue. Getting approval in government is not the same as release and payment. These processes take time, and that is exactly why we sometimes experience delays. Nothing is deliberate,” he said.

Dikko also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved additional measures aimed at ensuring the speedy release of funds meant for sports development from the new financial year.

The NSC Chairman dismissed rumours suggesting that a crisis between the NSC and the NFF was responsible for the payment hiccups. He described such claims as unfounded, noting that both bodies are working in harmony.

“We are working harmoniously, just as we are with other federations. The leadership of the NFF and that of the NSC have been colleagues and continue to support all NFF programmes,” Dikko added.

He assured stakeholders that efforts are ongoing to improve funding mechanisms in Nigerian sports to prevent future delays and ensure smooth operations across all federations.