Veteran midfielder and former Super Eagles international Edema Fuludu has called on Nigerian football authorities to establish a pension scheme for players, stressing the need for young talents to plan for life after the game.
In a recent interview, Fuludu warned that not every footballer reaches the top and urged youngsters to prepare for alternative careers and financial security.
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Fuludu, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career both domestically and abroad, said he often speaks with up-and-coming players about the pitfalls of relying solely on football.
“We keep talking to young players. And you see, when they’re young, they hardly listen.
Even when you show them, people who have passed through that route and are having issues later on in life after football, they don’t seem to understand. Football is deceptive. Everybody cannot be at the top at the same time.”
He painted a sober picture of life’s unpredictability:
“Assuming the ball does not bounce well for you, you don’t play for a top club, you have a disability or a family to support—what are you going to do?”
Beyond individual preparation, Fuludu urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and league organizers to introduce a pension plan similar to those in Europe. Under his proposal, players would make compulsory contributions during their professional careers, ensuring they receive financial support once they retire.
“Once you play in the league for two or three years, you’ve contributed to a scheme that will give you something afterwards.
But we have to create it, and the football federation has to make it compulsory to deduct pension contributions at source.”
Fuludu argued that such a system would save players from post-career hardships and reinforce the long-term health of Nigerian football.
His call comes amid growing concern over the welfare of former professionals who struggle financially after retirement.
By combining personal mentorship with structural reforms, Fuludu believes Nigeria can build a safer environment for its next generation of footballers—one where even if the pitch fails them, a pension scheme will not.
