Where Is NFF? Mikel Obi, Siasia Remind Us of 2016 Olympics Logistic Failures

The sporting world is again captivated by the never-ending drama surrounding Nigeria’s tumultuous last-minute arrival at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. A competition where, against all odds, Nigeria attained a hard-earned men’s football bronze medal. However, the history must be properly curated to reflect the fact that Nigeria won bronze in Rio despite the system, not because of it. This feat must be credited to the brave Nigerian Players, led by their much-accomplished captain, John Obi-Mikel, or Mikel Obi, as he is sometimes called, and their equally accomplished coach/manager, the indefatigable Mr. Samson SiaSia, who is also a former Africa Nations Cup winner in 1994. Both Mikel and SiaSia are currently embroiled in an unfortunate online social media spat, which could have been avoided if the Nigerian Football Federation and its long-standing Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, had done a better job post-Rio. His tenure is a case study on how to destroy a national sport.

Synopsis of a Tale: Rio or Bust

The six main characters in this story are the above-mentioned John Obi-Mikel, Samson SiaSia, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, MrAmajuPinnick (Former NFF president), MrYemiIdowu (a sports philanthropist), and Solomon Dalung( Former Sports Minister). There are also many patriotic Nigerians and concerned citizens who contributed directly and indirectly to ensure that Nigeria avoided a major sporting embarrassment. 

Samson Siasia and John Obi-Mikel should hold their heads up high and avoid falling into the trap set by the NFF management, led by Dr Mohammed Sanusi. The silence of the NFF has rubbed rock salt into sore wounds. I can truly believe that John Obi-Mikel was made to believe his funds were applied towards procuring an aircraft to convey the stranded Rio-bound players from Atlanta. The real question is, “Why did Mikel have to volunteer to rescue the situation?” After all, he was already persuaded to part with funds to pay for food and accommodation in Atlanta.

This has not been denied or refunded by the shameless NFF management. Likewise, Samson Siasia is still owed allowances and funds obtained from his friends during the crisis. Until officials like Dr. Sanusi are held accountable — not praised for surviving scandals — our football will remain a cautionary tale told in taverns and classrooms. During his interview, Siasia also revealed that Mr. YemiIdowu funded the Previous Silver medal-winning U20 Men’s football team and other football matches with hundreds of thousands of dollars. A feat that has never been acknowledged by the Nigerian Football Federation to date.

The recently departed NFF President, AmajuPinnick, is an interesting character. You either like him or detest him. I prefer to remember his successes in launching a much-loved and successful Nigeria 2018 World Cup jersey, which is still breaking records many years later. Pinnick was also able to bring much private sector innovation and funding to support his tenure. All these can be weighed to balance his other shortcomings. Unfortunately, we cannot ascribe any such accolades to the red beret-wearing Solomon Dalung, the Nigerian sports minister at that time. The less we talk about him, the better. A man who likes hearing his voice, despite obviously punching much above his limited knowledge and understanding of the task given to him. I have only one question about his recent unsolicited comments or statements attributed to him in a recent interview on a national television. Where Dalung allegedly claimed that the government had made arrangements for the team’s travel and that no player was authorised to “pay for the team’s transport,” Dalung stated. “We had arranged a 35-seater aircraft, which Mikel rejected, claiming it was too small for the 42-man delegation.”

This great bombshell, unfortunately, was designed to embarrass John Mikel Obi. Dalung would have gotten away with this falsehood if Samson Siasia had not clarified that the small aircraft was paid for and provided by his friend, MrYemiIdowu. Idowu also paid for ferrying the empty aircraft to Atlanta, paying for a new aircraft crew to fly the plane to Rio and the empty plane back to America. Idowu also secured landing permits, charter clearances,  andoverflight charges to ensure the chartered flight arrived on time for the match in Rio.

Perhaps our Dalung should instead provide any evidence of any sports ministry payments for the above services and aircraft. We of course, know Dalung is not telling the truth. I challenge him to refute these facts.

 Where Is the NFF?

That now leaves Dr Mohammed Sanusi in an interesting situation. He can either come out to thank all the parties for their contributions. Then apologise to all parties in a mature manner by officially acknowledging the role of the parties. Unfortunately, I suspect he will continue to keep quiet and pretend not to know the damage being done daily to Nigerian Football. The NFF has neither confirmed nor clarified the true state of affairs. Their silence, critics argue, only deepens suspicions of institutional opacity. There will also be questions about whether they ever reimbursed any of the parties.

A Bigger Story About Nigerian Sports

The renewed spotlight on Rio 2016 reveals much about the deeper dysfunction in Nigerian Football administration. Inadequate planning, last-minute improvisation, and blurred lines of responsibility remain recurrent themes. For many observers, this controversy is a reminder that behind every medal lies a struggle — often off the pitch, in hotel lobbies, in phone calls, and in silence. Until the NFF breaks its silence, the debate will rage on.

For avoidance of doubt, Delta Airlines at the last minute flew the Nigerian Olympic Football team free of charge to Brazil. Dr Mohammed Sanusi has mismanaged the situation completely thereby forcing Delta Airlines to clarify the true position. The NFF failed to publicly acknowledge this fact in a timely manner and robbed Delta airline of much timely goodwill.

Despite the above, the “massive corruption” described by John Obi Mikel and poor logistics that nearly forced the team to miss the tournament still pervades under the DrSanusi led management.

Mikel, Idowu, Siasia, Delta Airlines and others should be acknowledged for contributing to save the day. The fact is that NFF and the sports ministry did not pay for any flights or logistics to Rio. They also had no plans for getting the players to Rio on time. NFF and the sports ministry did not refund YemiIdowu and John Obi Mikel. This is the only fact that matters.

Despite the swirl of claims and counterclaims, one key figure has remained silent- businessman YemiIdowu, who Siasia confirmed was responsible for arranging the initial, rejected aircraft. Mikel cannot reject the small aircraft if he paid for it. It is also unclear if Idowu got a refund of his money from either the NFF or the airline involved.

Meanwhile, the NFF, the body at the heart of the matter, is yet to issue any statement addressing or clarifying the events that transpired.

Final Cut: Belo Horizonte, August 20 – From Turbulence to Triumph.

With the public still reeling from unresolved issues surrounding the country’s handling of sports logistics, the Nigerian Men’s Olympic Football team arrived in Rio a few hours before the match against Japan and miraculously won the match. Eventually after an exciting semi-final, we booked a third-place match in Belo Horizonte.

Once in Belo Horizonte, the Dream Team was a different unit. Mikel delivered a commanding performance, controlling the midfield and contributing to all three goals in the thrilling 3–2 Bronze match victory over Honduras, leading 3-0 earlier in the match. This bronze marked a historic medal sweep in Olympic Men’s Football —gold in 1996, silver in 2008, and now bronze in 2016.

For this, the names of Samson Siasia and John Mikel Obi are forever written in Nigerian history. No football Kleptocrat can ever erase this achievement.

Against All Odds, Bronze is Glory

Rio’s Dream Team VII rewrote Olympic history, rising from logistical collapse to place Nigeria on the podium. In the end, their journey wasn’t just a football story—it was a story of unsung heroes proving that where others see barriers, it is the battlefield of heroes. What began in chaos at an Atlanta hotel ended at Mineirão Stadium, Belo Horizonte with hysterical celebrations. The Dream Team’s resilience under pressure reflects both Nigerian spirit and unsung leadership. The bronze isn’t just a medal—it’s proof that when patriots like Siasia and Mikel, overseas Nigerian supporters and private sector financiers like YemiIdowu act together, even bureaucratic limbo can’t stop greatness.

Meanwhile, our dear Dr. Sanusi was somewhere between Abuja and Jupiter, issuing press statements full of “robust arrangements” and “logistical bottlenecks,” while the team risked disqualification due to the NFF’s indolence.

The man has held the same post since the time Super Eagles still flew. But rather than soar, our football has become a plane with no landing gear, perpetually circling shame.

Sanusi’s response to criticism is usually bureaucratic ballet: “We are doing our best,” “We are working closely with stakeholders,” “We have set up a committee.”

By now, Nigerians have seen more NFF committees than goals in open play.

However, the ball is now in NFF’s court. We all keenly await the clarification and acknowledgment of our hero captain and medal winning football coach.