Former Sports Minister Debunks Mikel Obi’s Claim of Funding Olympic Team’s Rio Flight

Former Sports Minister Debunks Mikel Obi’s Claim of Funding Olympic Team’s Rio Flight

By Niyi Busari 

Former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung has refuted claims by former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi that he personally paid for the Nigerian football team’s travel from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In a recent interview, Mikel had stated that he used his own funds to cover the team's travel expenses to Brazil after the squad was reportedly stranded in the United States ahead of the tournament. According to Mikel, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) failed to provide necessary logistics, compelling him to intervene financially.

 “I used my own money to help fund the Nigerian Super Eagles' trip to the 2016 Rio Olympics, and till this day, the federation has not given me anything back,” Mikel was quoted as saying. “Honestly, I regret doing that.”

Dalung, who served as Minister of Youth and Sports during the Rio Olympics, dismissed the claim in an interview with Omafoma Ebare, stating categorically that no player paid for any chartered aircraft to transport the team. “To the best of my knowledge as the Minister at the time, no player—Mikel Obi or otherwise—was authorized to arrange transport for Team Nigeria to Rio,” Dalung said.

He explained that although the team did experience a delay in Atlanta due to logistical setbacks, the Ministry of Sports responded by chartering a 35-seat aircraft to transport the squad to Brazil. However, Dalung said that Mikel, who was team captain at the time, rejected the aircraft, claiming it was too small for the 42-member contingent.

 “The approved number for an Olympic football team was 25, and we arranged a 35-seater. When the plane arrived in Atlanta, Mikel rejected it, saying it was inadequate. This rejection was brought to the attention of then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. I explained to him that an aircraft had indeed been arranged and even submitted all supporting documents,” Dalung added.

The former minister clarified that the team eventually traveled to Brazil aboard a Delta Airlines commercial flight — the same airline that had previously flown them from Nigeria to Atlanta. He described this as a goodwill gesture from Delta Airlines, not a player-funded initiative.

 “It was Delta Airlines that airlifted the team from Atlanta to Rio as part of their contribution to Team Nigeria. At no time did any player, including Mikel Obi, pay for a chartered flight,” Dalung concluded.

The Nigerian U23 team went on to secure a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, continuing the nation’s proud history in Olympic football competitions.