Six months after Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) ordered Niger Tornadoes to pay Anthony Michael Adoyi ₦1,350,000 in compensation for illegally terminating his contract, the club has yet to deliver, and formal sanctions have not been applied.
Michael’s contract scheduled to end in June 2025 was unilaterally terminated in mid-January 2025 without mutual agreement. Despite his refusal to sign a termination document, the NPFL investigated and ruled in his favour, demanding full compensation and warning of fines or transfer restrictions if the club failed to comply.
Months on, the payment remains outstanding and Niger Tornadoes face no visible consequences. Michael recently spoke out, revealing that he has not received two months’ salary before the contract termination, and his family continues to suffer hardship. Despite NPFL’s written directive, no deadline was specified nor enforcement taken.
Editorial
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We believe this breakdown in enforcement undermines the NPFL’s authority and sets a worrying precedent. When a club flouts contractual obligations and faces no repercussions—even after a ruling—it erodes trust in the league’s ability to protect players.
Anthony Michael’s account of mounting hardship is deeply troubling. Professional football is meant to be a livelihood as well as a career. The NPFL’s ambiguous response commendable in intent—requires follow-up action. Without timely intervention, its rulings become symbolic at best.
Niger Tornadoes face multiple unresolved breaches. This is not isolated the same club was fined ₦3 million and ordered to play behind closed doors over prior security lapses. The repeated inaction raises concerns about oversight consistency and fairness.
We expect the NPFL to move beyond formal letters. If fines or transfer bans must be triggered to motivate compliance, they should be. Contracts are binding promises abuse without accountability signals a slippery slope for player welfare across the league.
Niger players deserve protection and prompt redress. If the NPFL wishes to uphold integrity, it must follow through this case demands clarity, enforcement and, ultimately, justice.
Did You Know?
- Anthony Michael was dismissed in January 2025 shortly after his wedding and only informed via text message that his services were no longer required.
- He is owed two months of unpaid wages in addition to the six-month severance, amounting to ₦1,350,000.
- NPFL rules allow sanctions such as player transfer bans, withheld league funds, or point deductions if clubs fail to settle prohibited contractual breaches.
- Niger Tornadoes also received a ₦3 million fine and a three-match fans ban earlier in 2024 for security failures and misconduct during an NPFL fixture.
- A senior Guardian report quoted Michael saying, “My family has been starving… I can no longer support my siblings’ school fees,” reflecting the human impact of sanctions delays.
