Former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has disclosed that he deliberately chose not to take legal action against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) despite being owed $26,000 in unpaid salaries from his time in charge of the national team between 2015 and 2016.
The 51-year-old, who managed Nigeria for less than a year before resigning, said he has been advised several times to take the matter to FIFA, but he refuses to do so because he does not want to be perceived as fighting against his own country.
“They still owe me $26,000” – Sunday Oliseh
Speaking on the Home Turf Podcast, the former Juventus and Ajax midfielder shared his frustration over the unpaid wages, revealing that he remains the only Nigerian coach to have voluntarily resigned from the position.
“Till today, I am the only Nigerian coach who ever resigned. And till today, they are still owing me two months’ salary, which is $26,000,” Oliseh said.
He further explained that although he has a strong case to win if he pursued legal redress through FIFA, he has decided against it.
“A lot of people have asked me to take the NFF to court. If I take the case to FIFA, I will win, but when the news breaks, the headlines won’t say ‘Oliseh takes NFF to court’, they will say ‘Oliseh takes Nigeria to court.’“
“And that’s not something I want to be associated with,” he stated.
“I love my fatherland” – Sunday Oliseh
Oliseh stated frankly that his decision stems from patriotism rather than weakness, declaring he would never drag his country to a foreign court.
“I will not take my fatherland to a Western court. I love my country, and no matter what, I don’t want to be seen as someone fighting against Nigeria,” he said.
Oliseh’s time as Super Eagles coach was marred by disputes with the NFF over unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and alleged interference in team selection.
He eventually resigned in 2016, citing lack of support and breach of contract by the federation.
Amid all these and the acrimonious exit, the former international remains one of Nigeria’s most respected and outspoken football figures, often lending his voice to issues of governance and player welfare.
