By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
Exactly 155 days after lifting their first-ever major national trophy, Kwara United Football Club are yet to receive the ₦50 million prize money promised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for winning the 2025 President Federation Cup.
The Harmony Boys defeated Abakaliki FC 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic final at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on 28 June 2025, in front of a jubilant crowd and nationwide television audience. On the same day, the NFF publicly announced that the men’s champions would pocket ₦50 million, the runners-up ₦20 million, and the women’s winners, Rivers Angels, ₦25 million.
Five months later, the cheque has not been written.
Veteran sports journalist Osasu Obayiuwana broke the silence on Thursday, directly challenging NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi: “Is it really true that since Kwara United won the Federation Cup on the 28th of June, you are yet to pay them their FIFTY MILLION NAIRA prize money?”
The question has since ignited widespread outrage on social media, with many describing the delay as another embarrassing chapter in the NFF’s long history of unpaid entitlements.
Prominent football commentator AJSilver wrote: “The Nigerian Football Federation are yet to pay Kwara United Football Club their 50 Million Naira prize for winning the Nigerian FA Cup last season. It’s just one of the cases where the NFF have refused to release funds to clubs even when the Federation received the funds.”
As of Sunday morning, the NFF had issued no official response to the allegations, and multiple attempts by journalists to reach the federation’s leadership went unanswered.
The delay is particularly stinging given that Kwara United’s triumph qualified them for the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, where they are already campaigning. While the Kwara State Government, led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, promptly rewarded each player and technical crew member with ₦5 million in cash and a plot of land two days after the final, the promised federal prize remains outstanding.
Club officials have chosen to remain publicly diplomatic, but sources close to the team describe growing frustration behind the scenes as the club battles financial pressures common to many NPFL sides.
The non-payment has also cast a shadow over the NFF’s recent circular urging clubs to register for the 2026 President Federation Cup, with several commentators pointing out the irony of demanding fresh participation fees while last season’s winners are still waiting to be paid.
Kwara United’s historic victory was meant to be a watershed moment for a club that had spent decades chasing major silverware. Instead, it has become the latest symbol of the administrative dysfunction that continues to hamper the growth of Nigerian domestic football.
Until the NFF fulfils its obligation, the Harmony Boys’ triumph remains bittersweet – a trophy in the cabinet, but an empty space where ₦50 million should be.
Galaxy Sports Production
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