Former Super Eagles captain stepped in to ensure players received owed payments after FIFA delays.

John Obi Mikel

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed that he personally contacted the office of late President Muhammadu Buhari to secure players’ bonuses after Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia.

Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel explained that the Nigeria Football Federation had repeatedly delayed payments owed to players for qualifying and participating in the tournament. Frustrated, he reached out to Buhari’s chief of staff, Abba Kyari, and within 24 hours, a private plane delivered the funds to the team’s hotel.

“The money belongs to the players, not the president or anyone else,” Mikel said. The bonuses were promptly distributed the following day, though his actions reportedly angered senior NFF officials.

Mikel retired from international football a year later, having made 91 appearances, including helping Nigeria win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and an Olympic bronze medal in 2016.