Daniel Otera
The recent passing of Super Eagles legend Peter Rufai has reignited a fierce debate about the financial struggles of retired Nigerian footballers, with former players Brown Ideye and Taribo West weighing in on the issue. Rufai, fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” died on 3 July 2025 at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph and the country’s debut FIFA World Cup appearance.
However, the emotional outpouring at his burial on 22 August 2025 in Lagos revealed a troubling reality: many of Nigeria’s football heroes face neglect and financial hardship after their careers end, prompting calls for better financial planning and systemic support.
Rufai’s death has shed light on the enduring issue of financial instability among retired footballers. The emotional tributes at his funeral painted a vivid picture of the plight faced by many former players. This tragedy serves as a wake-up call, urging Nigeria’s football community to address the financial vulnerabilities of players after their playing days are over.
Brown Ideye, a former Super Eagles forward and 2013 AFCON winner, sparked controversy with his blunt take on retired footballers who fall into poverty. In a post on his official X account, Ideye urged active players to treat their earnings as a lifetime’s salary, given the short span of a football career. “Footballers, start saving for your future from day one. No matter how small your salary is, put something aside for your retirement,” he wrote.
Ideye also emphasised the need for a strong support system, adding, “Pray for the right people around you, pray for a good partner, because these things matter after football.” His message resonated with many but also sparked debate, particularly after he responded to a follower’s argument that players, especially those who played in Europe, have little excuse for financial ruin. “They should be jailed for life if, after they retired from playing, they can’t feed themselves,” Ideye replied, a statement that drew both support and criticism online.
Ideye’s remarks reflect a growing concern about the financial mismanagement that plagues some retired athletes, particularly in Nigeria, where systemic support for ex-players is limited. The statistics further validate his concerns, with a 2023 post on X by user @biolakazeem revealing that 40% of English Premier League (EPL) players go bankrupt within five years of retiring. The situation is notably more severe for African and Nigerian players, many of whom struggle with financial illiteracy and poor planning despite earning substantial salaries abroad.
While this statistic pertains primarily to the EPL, it underscores a much broader issue that transcends national boundaries. Players, particularly those from African countries like Nigeria, often face unique challenges, such as a lack of financial education, poor investment choices, and significant family pressures. As a result, many athletes find themselves financially vulnerable once their playing careers come to an end.
For instance, Nigerian footballers like Wilson Oruma and Celestine Babayaro have faced financial difficulties after their careers due to fraud and mismanagement of their earnings. These struggles are not isolated cases but part of a larger pattern that highlights the need for greater financial literacy within the world of professional sports.
Ideye, who likely benefited from prudent financial management, now advocates for younger players to take charge of their financial futures. His message underscores the importance of planning ahead, making informed financial decisions, and seeking professional advice to avoid the financial pitfalls that have plagued so many of his peers.
The debate gained traction following an emotional outburst by Taribo West, a former Super Eagles and Inter Milan defender, at Rufai’s burial. West condemned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning Rufai’s family during his illness and after his death.
“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit within our groups to ask for money? That is madness,” West said in a viral video posted by News Central. He expressed deep personal grief, noting, “My mother passed on, I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands, I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body.” West’s anguish extended beyond Rufai’s case, as he cited similar neglect faced by the families of other late Nigerian football icons, including Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha.
“With this kind of example they have shown in Shofoluwe, Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini, I will never advise my son to put his feet for this country,” he declared, questioning the functionality of Nigeria’s football authorities. “Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way and his family.”
One of the major systemic issues facing retired footballers in Nigeria is the absence of institutional support after their careers end. Unlike in the United Kingdom, where retired players benefit from the support of organizations like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Nigeria’s football ecosystem offers minimal to no formal support for ex-players. In the UK, the PFA provides pension schemes, career transition programs, and mental health resources, ensuring that players are financially secure and mentally prepared for life after football.
In stark contrast, many Nigerian footballers, particularly those without international careers or the necessary financial planning, face significant challenges once they retire. The lack of financial stability leaves many vulnerable to economic hardships and mental health issues. As football careers are often short-lived, it is essential to ensure that players have access to programs that offer career guidance, financial management education, and health support once they retire from the game.
This issue reflects a broader problem within Nigeria’s football governance, where there are few resources or support systems in place to help players navigate their post-football lives. A failure to address this gap means that many retired players are left to fend for themselves, often struggling to adapt to a life without the financial and social safety nets that should be provided by the football ecosystem.
To address this, reforms are needed to establish programs that will assist retired players with their career transitions. Introducing initiatives such as pension schemes, career counseling, and financial literacy programs would be a positive step in creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for Nigerian footballers. Without such support, many of these athletes will continue to face financial instability and emotional distress after their playing days are over.
While West’s critique focused on institutional failures, some Nigerians argue that players bear significant responsibility for their financial woes. Kayode Alao, in an X post, challenged West’s “entitlement mentality,” questioning how players like West, who earned in foreign currencies during their careers, managed their finances. “What plans did you have for your health insurance, retirement, etc.? What did you do with all the millions you earned when you worked actively?” Alao wrote. He contrasted West’s situation with players like Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, who have maintained financial stability post-retirement, suggesting that prudent planning makes a difference.
Another user, Henry MD, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Tell Taribo West that there’s nowhere in the world where it is the responsibility of the government to take care of their ex-football players.” These perspectives underline the expectation that players, especially those who played abroad, should leverage their earnings to secure their futures through investments, savings, or financial advisors, as is common among their European peers.
While some Nigerian athletes do earn high wages, many still face significant financial challenges due to a combination of factors. A 2023 study by Owusu et al. highlighted that many professional athletes, including those in Africa, have low financial literacy and often struggle with poor financial management, despite earning substantial incomes. This lack of financial education can lead to poor financial outcomes, despite the potential for wealth. In particular, footballers are at risk, as many fail to invest or save wisely.
Moreover, cultural factors play a significant role in athletes’ financial struggles. In many African cultures, athletes often feel a societal pressure to support extended families, which can place heavy financial burdens on them. This concept, commonly referred to as “Black Tax,” means that athletes may be expected to fund not only their immediate families but also broader community initiatives, placing additional strain on their earnings.
Furthermore, a 2024 study by Ejekwumadu examined how African footballers’ prosocial activities such as funding community projects or supporting relatives can significantly impact their personal finances. While these activities are noble, they sometimes come at the expense of the athletes’ own financial stability and career longevity, as they feel compelled to give back without sufficient financial guidance.
The NFF, in response to West’s allegations, denied abandoning Rufai’s family. In a statement on 22 August 2025, the federation claimed it provided “moral and financial support” during Rufai’s burial, with a delegation present at the funeral mass and financial assistance extended to the family. Similarly, former Super Eagles star Waidi Akanni refuted West’s claims, confirming that the Lagos State Government provided N15 million for Rufai’s burial, alongside contributions from the Lagos State Football Association and notable individuals. These claims, however, have been met with scepticism, with some X users demanding proof, citing politicians’ tendency to publicise such gestures for publicity.
The controversy underscores a deeper issue within Nigerian football governance. The NFF, often criticised for mismanagement and corruption, has faced accusations of neglecting players’ welfare for decades. A 2023 X post by @ill_nojie highlighted the “nonchalance of the respective FAs” and the corruption that forces players to pay for opportunities, further straining their finances. The lack of a structured pension or welfare system for retired players exacerbates these challenges, leaving many to rely on personal networks or public goodwill.
The contrasting views of former footballers Ideye and West present a dual challenge for athletes navigating their careers. On one hand, Ideye advocates for individual responsibility, emphasizing the importance of financial planning. He highlights the reality that football careers are short, typically lasting between 10 to 15 years, yet players need to plan to sustain themselves for decades beyond their playing days. Ideye’s call for players to begin saving from “day one” is a pragmatic response to this challenge, urging players to take control of their financial futures early.
On the other hand, West draws attention to systemic failure within the football industry, where many players lack the resources and education to manage their finances effectively. While individual responsibility is key, West stresses that the system must also play a role in providing the necessary tools for players to succeed after their careers end.
Both perspectives align with global best practices seen in organizations like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in England, which has long offered financial literacy programs to players. These programs aim to equip players with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions, helping them avoid the pitfalls of short-term wealth and ensuring long-term financial stability.