Amid the desperation among Nigerian footballers for greener pastures abroad – even opting for obscure foreign leagues – the chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, has declared that it is more economically viable for players to remain in the domestic league than to play in more remote parts of the world.
Almost every club in the NPFL, including those in the lower divisions, has witnessed players moving abroad – even to smaller African countries such as Benin Republic, Tanzania, and conflict-ridden Sudan – in search of professional opportunities.
According to a FIFA report, Nigerian clubs sold 1,904 players in international transfers over the past decade, ranking Nigeria 17th in the world and first in Africa for the volume of player movement during that period.
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Sports, NPFL Chairman Elegbeleye stated that while he does not wish to deter any player from seeking better pay outside Nigeria’s league, he insists that it is more economically viable to play in the nation’s domestic leagues than to venture to remote locations around the globe.
“The players we’re talking about are akin to civil servants, bankers, and journalists like you; all they do is play football to earn a living. When a club fails to pay them adequately, they seek opportunities elsewhere for better remuneration. This migration occurs because clubs in Nigeria do not pay their players well. We see them moving to smaller countries like Benin Republic, Tanzania, and even war zones like Sudan in pursuit of higher earnings.
“The value of our currency contributes to this dilemma. For instance, a player earning N800,000 in Nigeria might sign a contract for about N1.3 million in Benin Republic, believing he is earning an extra N500,000.
However, the cost of living in places like Benin is higher when measured in Naira terms. The price of water, housing, and food in Benin will often be more expensive compared to Nigeria, meaning that by the end of the month, they struggle to save anything. So, it is more economical viable for our players to remain in NPFL than to play in more remote parts of the world.
“That explains why some players return home. One cannot blame them; it’s part of the system we inherited regarding sponsorship. If we had sponsors, we could provide better financial support for our players. We are actively searching for partners, and hopefully, we will secure one soon,” Elegbeleye said.
The former lawmaker noted that his NPFL-led board inherited a league devoid of sponsorships, where clubs received no financial rewards for their success.
“We took over a league without sponsors—one that had essentially ceased to exist. None of the matches were televised, and the winners received nothing.
“When we began, the league did not offer prize money; winners didn’t receive anything for their triumphs. However, in the last three seasons since our administration, we awarded the league winners, Enyimba, N100 million in the first season, followed by N150 million to Rangers International of Enugu in the second season. Last season, Remo Stars received N200 million for their victory. We are working to enhance the league’s profile and earn the respect of the corporate world. Currently, corporate organisations are in discussions with us about sponsorship, and we hope to finalise an agreement either before the start of the new season or within the next couple of months.
“If we secure sponsorship, we will have more funds to distribute among clubs, allowing players to earn better wages. The league will not only become financially attractive for Nigerian players but will also draw foreign players,” he stated.
Regarding the issue of irregular salary payments by clubs in the NPFL—often driving Nigerian footballers to accept offers from lower leagues abroad—Elegbeleye remarked: “I am not aware of any club that does not pay its players. Any player who is not being paid is encouraged to report to us. In the few cases we have encountered, we have deducted the owed amounts from the sponsorship funds shared with the clubs. We ensure that the share of the affected club is used to pay those players who have complained to us about non-payment.”
LEADERSHIP Sports findings has revealed that some football agents are advising players to accept offers from lower leagues as a stepping stone to bigger opportunities in Western Europe. However, these agents are often more interested in lining their own pockets than in protecting their players’ interests.
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