Nigeria football authorities reached a new agreement with Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle on Tuesday. Chairman of the National Sports Commission Shehu Dikko confirmed the deal after a meeting with Nigeria Football Federation officials in Abuja.
Chelle, the Franco-Malian tactician, signed an improved contract that extends his stay with the senior national team. His original two-year deal was set to end at the close of 2026. The new terms include better remuneration and support for his backroom staff.
Negotiations intensified in recent months after Nigeria finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Chelle had sought enhanced financial packages during talks. Dikko stated that officials settled on new remuneration terms and addressed provisions for assistants.
“We have reached new terms with the coach about his new remuneration. We are also going to take care of his assistants, and there are other benchmarks that we have put on the table, and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it,” Dikko said.
The extension runs through at least 2030 according to reports, with the salary reportedly doubling to around $100,000 monthly.
Beyond the Super Eagles, Chelle received additional responsibility for the U-23 Olympic Eagles. Officials designed this move to create continuity between youth and senior squads. Several young talents stand ready to transition upward in coming years.
Dikko explained the rationale clearly. “With the NFF, we also agreed that the coach will take care of the U-23 national team because we have young players coming into the Super Eagles within that age bracket. So, Eric Chelle and his team, plus other people who will support them. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future,” he added.
Chelle took over the Super Eagles in January 2025. He guided the team to a bronze medal at the 2025 AFCON and helped secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria missed the previous two World Cups before this success.
The Olympic Eagles also missed qualification for the last two Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Chelle now leads efforts to revive the team ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The dual assignment places fresh focus on seamless player progression from youth levels.
