Yusuf Alli, Chief Executive Officer of the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board under the National Sports Commission, has called on Nigerians to exercise patience as the Commission works to clear outstanding debts inherited from the former Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
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Speaking in Lagos, the former African long jump record holder acknowledged the financial challenges facing the Commission, noting that years of unpaid allowances and obligations to athletes had created a significant backlog.
According to Alli, efforts are already underway to address the issue, with the Commission beginning to settle some of the arrears owed to athletes across various sports.
He stressed that the process is gradual but deliberate, given the volume of outstanding payments inherited by the new structure.
“We appeal to Nigerians to give us time,” Alli said, emphasizing that the Commission remains committed to transparency and accountability in resolving the situation.
He further assured athletes that none would be overlooked, reaffirming the Board’s mandate to prioritize elite athlete welfare and performance support.
The ongoing settlement process, he explained, is part of broader reforms aimed at restoring confidence in sports administration and ensuring athletes receive the financial backing necessary to compete at the highest levels.
AllYusuf Alli, Chief Executive Officer of the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board under the National Sports Commission, has called on Nigerians to exercise patience as thei’s appeal comes amid growing calls for improved funding and timely payments within Nigeria’s sporting ecosystem, as stakeholders push for a more stable and athlete-centered system.
