By Deborah Nnamdi
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, will remain in charge of Nigeria’s senior national team after reaching an agreement on a new contract that also places him in charge of the country’s U-23 side.
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, disclosed the development on Tuesday following a meeting between officials of the NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja, where discussions focused on the future of the nation’s football teams.
Chelle’s initial two-year contract is set to expire at the end of 2026, with negotiations over improved terms having continued in recent months. Following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, reports indicated that the 47-year-old coach sought an enhanced salary package, including provisions for his backroom staff.
Speaking after the meeting, Dikko said both parties had reached an agreement on a revised contract that includes improved remuneration and support for the coaching crew.
“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.
In addition to overseeing the Super Eagles, Chelle has now been entrusted with leading Nigeria’s U-23 national team as preparations begin for the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Dikko explained that the decision was designed to create continuity between the U-23 squad and the senior national team, allowing promising young players to transition seamlessly into the Super Eagles setup.
“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, will handle the project. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future,” he added.
The expanded assignment places additional expectations on Chelle, who will be tasked with revitalising Nigeria’s U-23 programme. The Olympic Eagles have failed to qualify for the last two editions of the Olympic Games, missing out on both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 tournaments.
The appointment is part of a broader effort by Nigerian football authorities to strengthen the national team structure and ensure long-term development ahead of future international competitions.
