Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has shed light on the poor welfare conditions endured by players in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), citing his own experience at Enyimba FC as a glaring example.
In a recent interview, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner revealed he was paid just N7,000 as daily feeding allowance during his time at the Aba-based club — a figure that underscores the dire financial reality of local footballers in Nigeria.
Read Also: “Beyond Rivalry: Super Falcons Visit Injured South African Star Salgado In Touching Post-Match Gesture”
“People don’t know the hardship NPFL players face. At Enyimba, my feeding money on matchdays was N7,000. That was it,” Ideye said.
Even more concerning, he disclosed that match bonuses ranged between N5,000 and N30,000, often paid only at the end of the season. “It depended on the opponent or the game’s importance. Some games were N5,000, others maybe N10k or N30k if it’s big — and that’s if the money comes at all,” he added.
Brown Ideye, who went on to play in Europe and Asia, used the platform to advocate for improved welfare and prompt payment structures for NPFL players, insisting that the current conditions hinder player development and motivation.
His revelations have sparked renewed conversation around the treatment of players in Nigeria’s domestic league, with fans and football stakeholders calling for urgent reforms and greater accountability from club administrators and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Ideye’s honesty comes at a time when many ex-internationals are beginning to speak out about systemic issues that continue to plague Nigerian football from grassroots to the professional level.
,){kind=link}