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By Bosun Adeyemi
Former Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi has detailed the steps he took to obtain the outstanding qualification bonuses owed to the Super Eagles during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, describing a direct appeal to the then‑Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari that resulted in a cash delivery within 24 hours.
In an episode of *The Obi One Podcast*, Mikel explained that months before the tournament the players had not received their qualification bonuses despite repeated assurances from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials that the money would be settled once the team assembled in camp.
> “Leading up to the World Cup, we were owed money. We had been asking for this money for months before the tournament. They kept telling me, ‘Oh, Mikel, don’t worry, the money will be sorted when you come to camp.’ I said, ‘Okay, no problem, but make sure the money is there because the players are asking me about their bonuses.’”
When the squad arrived in Russia, Mikel continued to press the NFF president and the team secretary for a resolution. After a week of mounting anxiety among the players, he escalated the matter by contacting *Abba Kyari*, then Chief of Staff to President Buhari.
> “I called him and said, ‘Mr Chief of Staff, we have a serious issue in the national team. We need this money to settle the players. This is what was promised.’ Twenty‑four hours later, a private plane arrived. The money was delivered to the hotel, hand to hand. Millions of dollars,” Mikel recounted.
Mikel said he personally handed the cash to the team secretary with strict instructions to keep it out of the hands of the NFF leadership.
> “I took the money and handed it to the team secretary and told him to hold it. I said, ‘Make sure this money does not go to the president or anyone else. This money belongs to the players.’”
Mikel’s account underscores the leadership role he has played within the Eagles and highlights the behind‑the‑scenes challenges that players sometimes face even at major international tournaments.
