Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has revealed that the Nigerian government is yet to refund him for covering the team’s travel expenses to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Speaking on his podcast, Mikel said he had to personally pay for a chartered flight when official funds failed to materialize, ensuring the team did not miss the competition.
According to the ex-Chelsea midfielder, although the budget for the trip was approved, the money mysteriously “disappeared into the wrong hands.” He emphasized that the issue is not about the money, but about principle and respect, stating that authorities assumed he would bear the cost simply because of his status and income.
Despite not being reimbursed, Mikel said he has no regrets, expressing joy that the team went on to win a bronze medal. He noted that seeing the younger players return home proud was worth the sacrifice, though it exposed serious administrative flaws in Nigerian sports management.