Nigeria’s national team head coach Eric Chelle will remain in charge of the Super Eagles and will also oversee the country’s U23 side after reaching an agreement on a new contract with the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission.
National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko confirmed the development on Tuesday following a high level meeting between officials of the NSC and the NFF in Abuja, where discussions focused on the future of Nigeria’s national teams.
Chelle’s original two year contract runs until the end of 2026, but talks over an improved deal have been ongoing for several months. The negotiations gathered momentum after the Franco-Malian guided Nigeria to a third place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Reports had suggested that Chelle requested a monthly salary package of $130,000, which would also cover the wages of his coaching staff, alongside several other conditions as part of the new agreement.
Speaking after the meeting, Dikko revealed that both parties had successfully reached an agreement. He added that the revised deal includes better remuneration for the coach as well as improved provisions for his backroom team.
“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, and I’m sure the coach will be very excited about it,” Dikko said.
In a major boost to Nigeria’s long term football development plans, Chelle will also take charge of the U23 national team as preparations begin for the men’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
According to Dikko, the decision aims to create a stronger pathway between the U23 squad and the senior national team. Several promising young players are expected to progress into the Super Eagles over the next few years, and having one technical leadership structure is seen as a key part of that process.
“With the NFF, we also agreed that the coach will take care of the U-23 national team because we have young players coming into the Super Eagles within that age bracket.
“So, Eric Chelle and his team, plus other people who will support them. The objective is not to give the coach more work but to start building for the future,” Dikko added.
The expanded role represents a significant vote of confidence in Chelle’s leadership and vision. However, it also comes with increased expectations as he looks to revive the fortunes of Nigeria’s U23 side.
The Olympic Eagles have struggled in recent years and failed to qualify for both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The team now faces the challenge of ending that disappointing run and securing a place at Los Angeles 2028.
Chelle will also be expected to maintain the progress made with the Super Eagles. Nigeria recently returned to the FIFA World Cup after missing the previous two editions and have already secured qualification for the ongoing 2026 tournament.
With a new contract agreed and additional responsibilities handed to him, Chelle now has a central role in shaping the future of Nigerian football at both senior and youth levels. The NFF and NSC believe the move will help create continuity across the national team structure while laying the foundation for long term success on the international stage.
