Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has disclosed that he directly contacted the office of then-President Muhammadu Buhari, through his Chief of Staff Abba Kyari, to ensure players received their bonuses for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after months of delays by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel explained that his intervention led to millions of dollars in cash being delivered by private jet to the team’s hotel just days into the tournament.

“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, ‘Don’t worry, the money will be sorted when you come to camp,’” Mikel said.

He described how the players repeatedly approached him upon arrival in camp, worried they might never receive their bonuses. With no resolution, Mikel reached out to Abba Kyari, resulting in the rapid delivery of the funds.

“24 hours later, a private plane arrived. The money was delivered to the hotel, hand to hand. Millions of dollars,” he recalled. “I took the money and handed it to the team secretary, telling him this money belongs to the players.”

Mikel admitted that his actions angered senior NFF officials, who summoned him to a meeting two days later.

“They said, ‘Mikel, why did you do this? You’ve made us look like idiots.’ I told them, ‘I’ve been asking for this money for months. When you fail, I have to take responsibility because my players need the money. This money is owed. It is not a favour,’” he said.

Beyond the 2018 bonus saga, Mikel questioned recent developments in the national team, including William Troost-Ekong’s sudden retirement ahead of AFCON, suggesting unresolved internal issues.

He also criticized the current state of Nigerian football administration, emphasizing that the NFF must undergo reforms for the sport to thrive.

“If Nigerian football must go forward, they [NFF] have to go. It’s crazy that we’re killing the talent and potential that we have in this country because of greed from people who don’t want to do the right thing,” Mikel said.

Mikel’s revelations highlight ongoing concerns about players’ welfare, transparency, and accountability within Nigerian football.