Former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju has pushed back against growing claims that Nigerian ex-internationals feel entitled to roles within the Nigeria Football Federation and the national teams.
Addressing the criticism, Adepoju made it clear that former players are not demanding positions simply because of their past achievements.
“We are not entitled,” he said firmly.
According to him, ex-professionals, like every other Nigerian, have the right to aspire to leadership roles, but that does not mean they expect opportunities to be handed to them.
“We only want to contribute,” he implied.
Adepoju stressed that many former players possess valuable experience and insight that could benefit Nigerian football, but any involvement should be based on merit, not entitlement.
“It should be earned,” he noted.
The former midfielder also highlighted the need to change the narrative surrounding ex-internationals, arguing that their intentions are often misunderstood.
“We want to help the game,” he added.
His comments come amid ongoing debates about who should be involved in football administration in Nigeria, with some advocating for greater inclusion of former players and others warning against perceived favoritism.
For Adepoju, the focus should be on collaboration and progress, rather than division.
“We must work together,” he stressed.
As Nigerian football continues to navigate challenges, the role of ex-internationals remains a key talking point.
But Adepoju’s message is clear.
Aspiration is not entitlement.
And contributing to the growth of the game should be open to all who are qualified.
Because in football, what matters most is not who you were, but what you can offer now.
