Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has disclosed that he paid out of his own pocket to charter a flight for the Nigerian Olympic football team to the 2016 Rio Olympics after the government failed to release funds on time. Speaking on his podcast and in interviews, Mikel recounted how the team was stuck at the airport, worried they might miss their first match against Japan due to lack of a plane.
He explained that after consulting with coach Samson Siasia, he took the initiative to find and pay for a plane to ensure the team’s timely arrival in Brazil. Mikel said, “There was no money to pay for a flight, the players were worried; I spoke to the coach, we looked for a plane and I had to pay for it.” Despite the government having budgeted for the trip, bureaucratic delays and alleged corruption meant the funds were not disbursed, forcing him to cover the costs himself.
Mikel revealed that he spent over ₦50 million (approximately $100,000) on flights and logistics but has yet to be reimbursed nearly nine years later. He expressed frustration that after the team arrived and competed winning a bronze medal the government never repaid him. The Nigeria Football Federation claimed the ministry paid the airline, but the money never reached the operators.
This revelation sheds light on the mismanagement and corruption within Nigerian sports administration, highlighting the challenges athletes face beyond the field. Mikel’s intervention ensured the team’s participation and avoided what could have been a major embarrassment for Nigerian football at the Olympics.