I called Buhari to get 2018 W’Cup bonus – Mikel
John Obi Mikel Reveals How He Contacted Buhari’s Office to Secure Super Eagles’ Bonuses After 2018 World Cup
Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has disclosed how he personally intervened to ensure Nigerian players received their outstanding bonuses after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, following months of delays by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Speaking on an episode of The Obi One Podcast released on Tuesday and monitored by www.cjsoftflix.com, Mikel said the players were owed monies earned from qualifying for the tournament, but repeated assurances from football administrators failed to materialise.
“I Went Above the NFF President” – Mikel
According to the former Chelsea midfielder, he was forced to escalate the matter beyond the NFF leadership to the presidency to protect the welfare of his teammates.
“Talking about fighting for players’ bonuses, I went above the president of the NFF to get those bonuses, which is what I did a couple of times during the World Cup,” Mikel said.
He explained that FIFA provides ‘parachute money’ ahead of major tournaments, which is meant to be shared among players, while football federations usually borrow funds to settle bonuses early and repay lenders when FIFA releases the official payments.
Months of Promises, No Payment
Mikel revealed that the players had been owed money long before the tournament began and that repeated promises from officials continued even after the team arrived 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,’” he explained.
Despite these assurances, the situation remained unchanged after arrival in camp.
“We got to camp, and I spoke to the team secretary and the president. I asked, ‘Where is the money?’ Again, they said, ‘Don’t worry, Mikel, we’ll sort it out,’” he added.
Players Became Worried
As days passed without payment, Mikel said anxiety spread within the squad, with players fearing they might never receive their bonuses after the tournament.
“A week went by. The players kept coming to me saying, ‘Mikel, we need this money. Once the World Cup is over, we don’t know if we’ll ever get it,’” he recalled.
Contacting Buhari’s Office
With no solution in sight, Mikel said he contacted the late Abba Kyari, who was then Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu 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,’” Mikel said.
He revealed that the intervention produced immediate results.
“Twenty-four hours later, a private plane arrived. The money was delivered to the hotel, hand to hand. Millions of dollars,” he stated.
“This Money Belongs to the Players”
Mikel said he personally handed the money to the team secretary with strict instructions that it should not be diverted.
“I told him, ‘Make sure this money does not go to the president or anyone else. This money belongs to the players,’” he said.
The following day, the bonuses were calculated and distributed to all players involved in the World Cup qualifiers.
NFF Officials Reacted Angrily
Mikel disclosed that his actions angered some senior football officials, including the then NFF president, who summoned him to a meeting.
“They said, ‘Mikel, why did you do this? You’ve made us look like idiots,’” he recalled.
His response was blunt: “I’ve been asking you for this money for months. When you fail, I have to take responsibility because my players need the f**king money. This money is owed. It is not a favour.”
Not a Bonus, But Earned Money
Mikel stressed that the funds were not gifts or incentives but earnings from Nigeria’s successful qualification for the tournament.
Nigeria crashed out at the group stage of the 2018 World Cup after defeats to Croatia and Argentina, despite a famous win over Iceland. The Super Eagles reportedly earned $16 million in prize money, and the tournament remains Nigeria’s most recent World Cup appearance.
Mikel’s Legacy With the Super Eagles
John Obi Mikel retired from international football a year after the incident, having made 91 appearances for Nigeria. His honours include winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics.
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