NPFL Players’ Advocate Criticizes Elegbeleye, Owumi on Welfare, Contracts

NPFL Players’ Advocate Ifeanyi Ogbemudia has criticised Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye and Davidson Owumi over what he describes as “poor handling” of player welfare and contract disputes in the Nigeria Premier Football League. The dispute revolves around delays in honouring contracts, inadequate welfare support, and disputes over player payments, which Ogbemudia says have made many NPFL professionals feel neglected and undervalued.

While Elegbeleye serves as the Chairman of the NPFL, Owumi is the League’s Chief Operating Officer. Ogbemudia alleged that players have repeatedly complained about unpaid bonuses, delayed salaries, and a lack of medical support following injuries. He called on league officials to prioritise transparent contract enforcement and protection of players’ rights.

In response, league officials acknowledged that some concerns have been raised but insisted that several cases are currently under review. They said they are working to resolve disputes through hearings and that NPFL remains committed to improving player welfare, but did not directly respond to Ogbemudia’s criticism.

Editorial

We believe Ifeanyi Ogbemudia’s strong stance shines a necessary light on long-standing issues within the NPFL—issues that extend beyond matchday performance and into how players are treated, supported, and protected in their professional careers. When athletes are left to navigate contract uncertainties, unpaid wages, and injury rehabilitation without adequate institutional backing, the very integrity of the league is called into question.

This isn’t simply a matter of league reputation. It speaks to the lived realities of NPFL players—many of whom come from backgrounds that make reliable income and medical care a basic necessity, not a luxury. Without consistent payment structures and welfare systems, players are left vulnerable, both financially and physically. Worse, it can erode trust in the institutions meant to safeguard their careers and future.

We also think that the handling of such disputes sends a message to aspiring talents especially younger players debating whether to pursue professional careers in Nigeria. If the pathway to professional football is marked by payment delays, contractual uncertainty, and poor welfare provisions, what message does that send to the next generation? It risks breeding disillusionment and discouragement, exactly when support and stability are most needed.

At the same time, it is important for league officials to engage openly with these criticisms—not simply to defend their reputation, but to demonstrate accountability and inspire confidence in reform. If these disputes are being reviewed, as NPFL officials suggest, then communicative transparency must follow. Players, fans, and stakeholders deserve to know how grievances are resolved, how reforms are implemented, and how future issues will be prevented.

We believe that the success of Nigerian football depends as much on the welfare and professional treatment of its players as on results and talent. Structural change is urgently needed—to enforce contractual commitments, to protect players’ physical and financial well-being, and to ensure that professional football in Nigeria is a sustainable career, not a gamble. Until these changes are made, criticisms like Ogbemudia’s will continue and they will be justified.

Did You Know?

1. The NPFL Players’ Advocate is a role designed to represent player interests in negotiations, welfare issues, and dispute resolution with league officials.
2. Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye is a former Nigerian Sports Minister and currently serves as NPFL Chairman, making him a central figure in national football administration.
3. A number of NPFL players from previous seasons have reportedly taken to social media to detail unpaid bonuses or salary arrears, which have sparked protests or delayed match participation.
4. Disputes over player contracts and welfare are not unique to Nigeria similar issues have emerged in other African leagues, prompting calls for stronger player unions and contractual enforcement.
5. The NPFL has held hearings to adjudicate player grievances in the past, but critics argue that enforcement of rulings remains inconsistent and often slow.