The Federal Government has officially fulfilled its promises of housing and land allocations to members of the Nigeria men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, in recognition of their runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the players have now received official certificates for both the plots of land in the Federal Capital Territory and the housing units pledged by President Bola Tinubu following the tournament.
Promise Efoghe, the Media Officer of the Super Eagles, said that the documents were formally presented to the squad on Monday at their training camp in Fes, Morocco, ahead of their opening match in the 2025 AFCON.
Nigeria finished as runners-up in the 2023 tournament, losing 2–1 to the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire, in a tightly contested final. Upon the team’s return, President Tinubu hosted them at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) on each player and approved the gifts of land and housing.
At the presentation ceremony in Morocco, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau emphasized the significance of the government’s timely action.
“The president graciously promised houses and lands, as well as national honours, and today those promises are being fulfilled,” Gusau stated. “There was no reason to begin another AFCON campaign without honouring that pledge. This shows seriousness and respect for the players.”
He also expressed confidence in the team’s prospects at the ongoing tournament, adding, “We have prepared with the clear objective of winning the trophy. Success here will lift the spirits of Nigerians everywhere.”
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), highlighted the deliberate resolve to fulfill the commitments before the start of Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON campaign.
“It was a firm decision of the government that every promise must be fulfilled before our first AFCON match,” Dikko explained. “Previously, such pledges took nearly 20 years. This time, we acted promptly to show a new trajectory for Nigerian sports.”
He described the fulfillment as a reflection of the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, stating, “Whatever President Bola Tinubu promises, he delivers on time. This is about trust, motivation, and shared prosperity.”
The presentation of the certificates was also attended by Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who handed over the instruments of conferment for the Order of the Niger (OON) honours.
Nigeria will begin their quest for a fourth continental title on Tuesday against Tanzania in Fez, followed by group-stage matches against Tunisia and Uganda.