NFF: “No record” of unpaid salary to Christian Chukwu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stated that the late Christian Chukwu, former Super Eagles captain and head coach, was not owed any outstanding salary at the time of his death on April 12.

In an official statement, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi declared that the federation had “no record” of indebtedness to the iconic figure, who captained Nigeria to its historic 1980 AFCON title and later led the national team as coach between 2002 and 2005.

Sanusi’s remarks come in the wake of Chukwu’s earlier claims—made in April 2024—that he had yet to receive full payment for his services as head coach nearly two decades after leaving the role.

Responding to those allegations posthumously, Sanusi emphasized that a committee was previously established under former NFF president Amaju Pinnick to audit and settle all debts owed to past coaches.

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

“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.”

Chukwu, revered as “Chairman,” not only captained the Enugu Rangers and the national team to glory but also coached the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. He was dismissed in 2005 following a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Angola.

Sanusi concluded that Chukwu’s salary issues were addressed and resolved during that debt-reconciliation effort.

“I am aware that ‘Chairman’ was in the employ of the NFF between 2002 and 2005… There is certainly no record of indebtedness to him in the NFF.”

Victor Onuh

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