Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has disclosed that his matchday feeding allowance at Enyimba FC was a mere N7,000, highlighting systemic failings in player welfare across the NPFL. He painted a bleak picture of the league’s conditions, saying “People don’t know the hardship NPFL players face. At Enyimba, my feeding money on matchdays was N7,000. That was it.”
Ideye also revealed that match bonuses ranged from N5,000 to N30,000 often tied to the perceived importance of each game and, crucially, frequently delayed or never paid until the end of the season. He used his platform to urge urgent reform, stating that poor welfare undermines player motivation and development, and is a key reason Nigerian clubs struggle in continental competitions.
Editorial
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We are troubled by Brown Ideye’s revelations they expose a deep injustice within NPFL football. A legend of Nigerian sport reduced to N7,000 per game for feeding? It’s unacceptable. This is not about nostalgia it’s a call for a realignment of priorities.
We believe the NPFL must act with urgency. Clubs and governing bodies need to establish minimum welfare standards: regular, timely matchday allowances guaranteed bonuses and proper travel, accommodation and rest protocols. Anything less demeans the players and the game itself.
We feel this issue is symptomatic of broader neglect. When compensation, support and care fall short, ambition fades. Players lose motivation, performance suffers, and continental shame becomes inevitable.
We assert that fan engagement also hinges on integrity. Supporters deserve to know their stars are treated with dignity. When players speak out, they force a reckoning one that should lead to structural reform, not silence.
We maintain that NPFL administrators must cease viewing welfare as optional. It’s fundamental. That starts with listening to veterans like Ideye not dismissing them. Only then can the league evolve to match Nigeria’s footballing reputation.
Did You Know?
- Brown Ideye began his NPFL career at Bayelsa United and Ocean Boys, winning the league in 2007 before moving to Europe.
- Ideye spent most of his career abroad with clubs including Sochaux, Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiacos and Tianjin Teda.
- Despite his age, he returned to the NPFL in December 2024 and scored two goals for Enyimba in just six appearances.
- Nigerian clubs have failed to reach CAF final in several recent seasons player welfare has been cited as a recurring obstacle.
- Enyimba, Nigeria’s most decorated club, exited the 2024–25 CAF Confederation Cup at group stage with just 5 points performance partly blamed on poor league preparation.
