By Queen Madaki
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will remain in charge of Nigeria’s senior national team and will also oversee the country’s U-23 side under a newly agreed contract arrangement.
The Bureau Journal reports that Dikko made the disclosure after a meeting between officials of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja, where the future of Nigeria’s national football teams was extensively discussed.
Chelle’s current contract is expected to expire at the end of 2026, but negotiations for an improved agreement have been ongoing following the Super Eagles’ third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco.
NSC, NFF Agree Fresh Terms for Chelle
According to Dikko, both parties have now reached an agreement on fresh contract terms, which include an enhanced remuneration package and improved welfare arrangements for the coach’s backroom staff.
“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,” Dikko said.
The new arrangement is expected to provide stability within the national teams setup as Nigeria prepares for several major international competitions in the coming years.
Chelle to Lead Super Eagles and U-23 Team
Under the revised structure, Eric Chelle will continue to lead the Super Eagles while also assuming responsibility for Nigeria’s U-23 national team.
The decision is part of a broader strategy aimed at creating continuity across the country’s football development pathway and strengthening preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Chelle and his technical crew are expected to begin immediate planning for the U-23 side while maintaining their responsibilities with the senior national team.
Coach Appointed in 2025
Chelle was appointed Super Eagles head coach in January 2025 on a two-year contract with an option for extension.
He was initially tasked with leading Nigeria to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a target the team ultimately failed to achieve.
Despite missing out on the World Cup, his performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and his long-term developmental plans for Nigerian football appear to have earned him the confidence of both the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation.
The Bureau Journal understands that the new agreement is expected to be formally announced by the relevant football authorities in the coming days.
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