Loading ...ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea legend, John Obi Mikel, has heavily criticized Nigerian football administrators and past government officials, revealing that a promised plot of land awarded to him over 13 years ago for winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has never materialized.
Speaking during a recent interview on a podcast co-hosted by former England international Peter Crouch, the decorated midfielder used his personal experience to illustrate the systemic administrative failures plaguing sports governance in Nigeria. He noted that these structural deficiencies are the primary reason he continues to reject formal invitations to work with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A Pledged Reward Lost in Transit
Following Nigeria’s historic 2013 AFCON triumph in Johannesburg, South Africa—where the late Stephen Keshi led the team to a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso—the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan hosted the squad at a grand state reception. Alongside national honors and cash allocations, each member of the victorious team was promised a “massive plot of land” in the Federal Capital Territory.
Mikel, who captained the national team during a highly successful international career, revealed that despite the public ceremonies, the state pledges were never actually fulfilled.
“We got a nice reception. We got offered a massive plot of land each,” Mikel stated on the podcast. “The plot of land President Goodluck Jonathan gave me after we won AFCON… till today I still don’t know where it is, and these same people are calling me to come and work with the NFF.”
Why I Declined the NFF Job Offer
The 39-year-old Olympic bronze medalist, who retired from professional football in 2022, explained that his decision to stay away from domestic football administration is rooted in a total lack of trust in the current leadership structure.
Mikel argued that the individuals currently managing the country’s football ecosystem lack a genuine understanding of the sport and are more concerned with holding onto institutional power and financial allowances.
| Operational Parameter | Mikel Obi’s Diagnostic of Nigerian Football Administration |
| The Historic Promise | Pledged plots of land from the 2013 AFCON victory remain missing/undelivered. |
| Administrative Longevity | Long-standing officials occupy NFF boards for decades without introducing real growth. |
| Resource Misdirection | Allocated football development funds are consistently mismanaged or diverted. |
| Current Verdict | Declining all institutional calls to serve until systemic administrative overhauls occur. |
Calls for a Complete Overhaul
The former midfield maestro insisted that restoring the standards of the Super Eagles and grassroots football in Nigeria is a straightforward task that requires proper resource allocation and professional management. However, he emphasized that he cannot collaborate with leaders who do not share his integrity or progressive objectives.
“We don’t have people that know about football,” Mikel asserted. “They occupy their positions year after year, controlling everything. They are reluctant to relinquish their power and the financial benefits that come with it. I have received calls to return and get involved, but I have declined. Those individuals need to go.”
Mikel’s blunt public assessment comes amid growing concerns among Nigerian football enthusiasts regarding outstanding coach salaries, player bonus disputes, and the federation’s general lack of preparation ahead of upcoming continental qualification campaigns. As of the time of filing this report, neither the NFF leadership nor representatives of the former presidency have issued a formal response to the land allocation claims.
