- Victor Oguntade
In the wake of abject lifestyle of many Nigerian athletes particularly footballers after their storied career with clubs and country, Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA),Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has called for a structured welfare packages for retiring sports men and women.
In a session tagged “The Welfare of Nigeria’s Sports Legends” on Sports File, a talk show on Africa Independent Television (AIT), Mouktar said it was about time that government through the National Sports Commission (NSC), put together data bank of athletes in order to see to their welfare during and after their active years
“I think it’s a case of lack of plan, like I always say. They haven’t been properly educated, how to behave, how to act, how to plan, how to live and then the life after retirement ,” Mouktar marshalled his views, adding there must be concerted efforts on the part of the government too
He continued: “This needs to be taken into a plan for them to be taken care of. They’ve served the country, but once they just finish, go sideways and everyone forgets about them and their welfare.”
On whether it is a personal responsibility of respective individuals or government to cater for retiring athletes , Mouktar insisted that it is a shared duty, dismissing the culture of buck passing as he called for robust collective planning.
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“It’s a two-sided coin because we’re talking about Nigeria and Nigerians here,” he said. “Nigeria is for all of us.
“Government is for us, the people vote the government and the government works for them.
“ But we try to push the blame all the time. I’m saying no, we shouldn’t keep passing the buck. We need to sit together and devise a plan. It’s not a rocket science.
“We don’t need to invent something, we only need to copy a model that can work for us.”
For Mouktar, structured welfare packages does not mean placing athletes on perpetual salaries. Instead, he emphasized financial education, counselling and life planning as critical elements.
Addressing what structures should be put in place, Mouktar highlighted the importance of embedding athlete welfare in legislation. He referenced the ongoing reforms within the Sports Commission, led by Mallam Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olopade, as an opportunity to push for comprehensive frameworks.
He continued: “There should be a proper framework, a proper roadmap as to even identifying talents across the zones and even outside Nigeria.
“We’ve missed a lot of players, particularly footballers and track-and-field athletes, to other countries.
“We need to streamline and put things into law. It shouldn’t be a use-and-dump relationship, but more of a marriage between the nation and the athletes.”
He suggested a categorization system that distinguishes legendary figures like late Peter Rufai from athletes who only made cameo appearances in the green and white colours. He insisted that all who represented Nigeria at one point or the other deserved a safety net, describing them as “national assets”.
On whether athletes deserve some sort of pensions in their active days, Mouktar canvassed contributory pensions while pushing for broader social responsibility mechanisms. He stressed that while government and institutions must create frameworks, athletes also bear responsibility for personal financial management.
“Pensions are good and possible if it’s written into law,” he stated matter-of-factly. “But pensions are contributory, so if you’re competing or earning, you keep contributing.
“ At the same time, I believe in a proper plan to carry them along. If you don’t take care of yourself, you cannot always blame government.”
Asked about why some legends like Kanu Nwankwo and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha remain financially stable while others struggle, Mohammed explained that not all careers are equal. He linked disparities to luck, earnings, and lifestyle choices. However, he emphasized the need for early guidance and training.
He offered with hard-punching emphasis: “Of course, some don’t cut their coats according to their clothes. That’s where we are missing it.
“ It has to do with training these players at the right time. It’s like having a son—you don’t guide him, he listens to friends and goes astray. Even in Europe, your environment shapes who you become. But in the UK, for instance, they have numerous programs to reintegrate athletes—ambassadorial roles, punditry, technical coaching, or even support for those with drug issues or dementia. That’s the kind of broad approach we need.”
Mouktar, therefore, called on federations, private companies and ex-athletes to commit more to best welfare practices. He explained that federations, though technically independent, are government-backed and must develop stronger policies to retain talents. He also proposed tax incentives to encourage private sector investment in sports development.
“Imagine if conglomerates build pitches in communities and get tax rebates. If they sponsor teams, they should get benefits. That way, companies will deliberately pump money into sports. It won’t be by chance but through deliberate effort,” he noted
He also lamented Nigeria’s loss of athletes to other nations, citing examples in football and athletics, and stressed the need for better image management and reputation building to keep future generations committed to the country.
summarising his roadmap for sports development, Mouktar called for a “holistic document” that unifies Nigeria’s sports governance in line with international standards. He suggested borrowing best practices from countries like Australia, Germany, and the US. He also advocated for a Sports Tax Fund similar to the Education Tax Fund, as well as revenue from betting, lotteries, and media rights.
“There must be a plan if you think about it and sit deliberately with a group that includes administrators, athletes, and unions. They’ll tell you what could fit us best. We’re not as rich as the developed world, but we must have something to be proud of. If we deliberately think it through and put policies in place, we can ensure our legends are not forgotten.”
The session ended with a reminder that while government, federations, and corporations must play their roles, athletes also bear responsibility to live within their means and prepare for life after active competition.
In conclusion , Mouktar stressed that Nigeria must abandon its “ad-hoc” culture in sports management and replace it with deliberate, structured and sustainable planning.
