Pinnick did not shy away from the financial challenges facing the NFF and the struggles they encounter in discharging their financial obligations to Nigeria’s football teams.
Although salaries and allowances of national coaches have been slashed, coach Gernot Rohr is being owed five months salary, with goalkeeper coach Alloy Agu awaiting 22-months unpaid wages while the Super Eagles are yet to receive their bonuses and allowances for 19 months.
Pinnick faulted COVID-19 for its negative impact on businesses, including the NFF premium sponsors Aiteo Group, however, he disclosed his administration’s commitment to paying off the debts as soon as possible.
“With the pandemic and challenges facing oil companies, things have been tough for our sponsors Aiteo, who are responsible for the payment of coaches,” Pinnick told BBC Sport.
“But we’ve moved to pay Alloy [Agu] nine months of his wages from what we have left and coach Gernot Rohr too will be sorted. We don’t want to owe and that is the mentality with which I came into the NFF.
“There are circumstances beyond our control. It is not a good thing to owe and we don’t like the image it creates. We are looking at every means not to owe. The toxic atmosphere has really affected our sponsorship drive but we can’t give excuses.”
“We are working religiously and assiduously to resolve this as soon as possible.
“It’s a kind of government responsibility to pay the players and the [Nigerian] president is very keen on helping to sort it.
“I was in Abuja and I found out it’s only a matter of the modalities delaying paying the allowances and bonuses, any moment from now it will be sorted out.”
Paul Onuachu is having a banner season at Racing Genk with 22 goals in 23 appearances, making him the top scorer in the Belgian First Division A.
