NFF: We have no record of unpaid salary to Christian Chukwu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the outstanding salary owed to Christian Chukwu, former Eagles captain and coach, has been paid. 

In a statement on Monday, Mohammed Sanusi, NFF general secretary, said the federation has “no record” of indebtedness to the legendary footballer who died on April 12.

Chukwu was the Eagles captain when Nigeria won its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980 on home soil.

Between 2002 and 2005, Chukwu was the Eagles’ head coach, leading the team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.

In April 2024, Chukwu accused the NFF of owing him salary from his tenure as head coach of the national team.

The ex-footballer said that 19 years after his stint with the Eagles, NFF was yet to pay him some of his salary.

Reacting to the allegation after Chukwu’s death, the NFF general secretary asked anyone with a “genuine document” of the indebtedness to present it to the federation.

Muhammed said a panel was set up to resolve all outstanding payments to coaches “even from previous NFF administrations” during Amaju Pinnick’s first term as federation president.

The NFF general secretary claimed that Chukwu’s salary was among those cleared by the committee.

“There is no record in the NFF of any outstanding indebtedness to ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu,” he said.

“During the first term of the Board headed by Mr. Amaju Pinnick, a committee was set up to diligently peruse the papers of coaches who were being owed, even from previous NFF administrations.

“That committee was given the clear mandate to verify all debts and ensure that the coaches being owed were paid immediately.

“I am aware that ‘Chairman’ was in the employ of the NFF between 2002 and 2005, before he was relieved of the post following the 1-1 draw with Angola in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Kano in August 2005. There is certainly no record of indebtedness to him in the NFF.”