Chelle gets new bumper N140m monthly contract with NFF

Chelle gets new bumper N140m monthly contract with NFF

. Appointed Nigeria's U-23 Coach

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has been rewarded for his 'fantastic' job with the national team as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have agreed a new and improved contract with the Malian.

The former Mali coach has now been upgraded from his initial $50,000 monthly salary deal to $100,000 a month (about N140 million monthly according to the parallel exchange rate market.

The new deal will signed in the coming days to continue in his role after a resolution was reached between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Chelle’s contract was due to run out next year, with talks over an extension dragging on after he switched agents during talks. His new representative tabled a new salary demand of $130,000 a month. However, like the former deal, he would continue to be paying his assistants

The decision was reached at a joint meeting of the NSC and the NFF Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Dikko, the improved deal includes provisions for a personal vehicle, accommodation, and the payment of salaries and allowances for Chelle’s assistants, alongside other contractual benefits.

The meeting also approved a proposal by the NSC for the coach to double as the U23 coach of Nigeria. A first of its kind in the history of Nigerian football.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman, Shehu Dikko, announced this at a meeting in Abuja.

The former Mali coach became Nigeria coach in January 2025. He signed a two-year contract with option for an additional year based on performance.

He was first mandated to qualify the country to the 2026 World Cup, which he failed to do, and he was then tasked to reach the final of the 2025 AFCON.

The Super Eagles placed third at the 2025 AFCON hosted by Morocco in February.

Meanwhile, Chelle has officially resumed duties as head coach of Nigeria's U-23 national team. The decision is part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's football development structure and enhance the country's prospects in upcoming U-23 competitions, including qualification campaigns for major international tournaments.

With Chelle now overseeing the U-23 side, expectations will be high as Nigeria seeks to build on its rich Olympic football legacy and return to the summit of African and global youth football.