FIFA Licensed Agent and players’ welfare advocate, Mr. Eddie Iseri Ogbemudia, has strongly criticized the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) over its handling of contractual disputes and player welfare.
His comments center on the case of Niger Tornadoes’ former player, Micheal Anthony Adoyi, whose contract was reportedly terminated unlawfully, with directives sent to him never to return to the club.
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In an exclusive chat with Sports247, Ogbemudia expressed disappointment at the treatment meted out to the young footballer.
He described it as a stain on the Minna-based club and a reflection of NPFL’s poor management under Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and Chief Operating Officer Chief Davidson Owumi.
“I recently read the news about the young lad treated badly by Niger Tornadoes and also the role NPFL played in the dispute,” Ogbemudia said.
“With the situation of that player, it is clear that NPFL management does not have the interest of the league’s development at heart.”
Highlighting the central role of footballers, Ogbemudia stressed:
“All over the world, players are the most important piece of football. Without players, there would be no league, no NFF, CAF, or FIFA. Why then treat these professionals, who are breadwinners, as beggars?”
The players’ advocate further alleged that several complaints of contractual breaches lodged with the NPFL have been ignored, raising questions about the league’s fairness and commitment to players’ welfare.
Drawing a comparison, he noted:
“The NNL recently wrote to all participating teams to pay up their indebtedness to players and officials. I just hope they enforce it, unlike what we see in the top tier, NPFL.”
Concluding, Ogbemudia described the situation as “pathetic,” lamenting the persistent culture of neglect in Nigerian football.
It will be recalled that in January 2025, the NPFL directed Niger Tornadoes FC to pay Adoyi the sum of ₦1,350,000.
The directive stated that failure to comply would result in deductions from the club’s sponsorship payment in the 2024/2025 season. However, the payment is yet to be made to the player as of today, fourth week into new season.
