In a heartfelt message on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football, former Super Eagles coach and Nigerian football legend Sunday Oliseh shed light on an ongoing disparity in Nigerian football: the pay gap between local and foreign coaches. Oliseh, who managed the national team in 2015, spoke candidly about the unfair treatment of Nigerian coaches, saying, “Some might not like what I’m about to say, but when I was coaching the Super Eagles, my salary was N5 million a month—about $12,850 at the time.”

Oliseh’s tenure saw him earn just a fraction of what foreign coaches like Gernot Rohr and Jose Peseiro received, with their salaries reportedly as high as $70,000 per month. He noted that this pay gap exists despite Nigeria’s past successes with home-grown talent. He pointed to Stephen Keshi, who led Nigeria to a historic victory at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on similar pay, as an example of a local coach who brought glory with limited financial support.

Reflecting on his short yet impactful time leading the Super Eagles, Oliseh shared that he guided Nigeria to the group stages of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, achieved a strong record with only two losses in 14 matches, and ensured Nigeria’s qualification for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Yet, he resigned after just eight months, feeling disillusioned with the disparity in resources given to Nigerian versus foreign coaches.

“Then we wonder why they don’t perform?” he questioned, noting that local coaches, with their deep understanding of Nigerian football, should be given more respect and financial recognition. Despite the successes of coaches like Rohr and Peseiro, who achieved notable international qualifications, Oliseh argued that indigenous coaches have consistently produced results with much less support.

Oliseh went on to highlight the pride that Nigerian legends like Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia, and Stephen Keshi have shown in taking up coaching roles for the Super Eagles—not out of entitlement, but out of a commitment to the country. As Nigeria looks to build a legacy, he believes fair treatment for its football heroes, including equitable pay, is key.