…Says It Remains Committed to Protection of Players’ Interests
Abuja, Nigeria, Aug. 9, 2025 – The National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has urged the Nigeria Football Federation Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (NFF-PSAC) to urgently convene and resolve over 100 outstanding contractual disputes ahead of the 2025/2026 football season, set to kick off later this month.
According to the union, the unresolved cases include illegal contract terminations, unpaid salaries, outstanding transfer fees, and the withholding of players’ clearances—issues that directly threaten the welfare and careers of affected players.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NANPF President and former international, Sunday Abe, expressed grave concern over the volume of cases and the potential impact on the integrity of the domestic league.
“More than 100 cases require immediate attention,” Abe stated. “If left unresolved, they could seriously derail the careers of many players. The league exists because of the players, and their rights must be protected.”
He added that while the union appreciates the past efforts of the NFF-PSAC, time is of the essence, and the committee must act swiftly to address the backlog before the season begins.
“Addressing these disputes will not only restore confidence in the system but also promote fairness and professionalism across the league,” he said.
NANPF emphasized that timely resolutions would encourage greater transparency and accountability among clubs and league administrators, while also fostering trust within the football community.
As the season approaches, the players’ union reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding players’ rights and called on all football authorities to ensure clubs fulfil their contractual obligations at all levels of the Nigerian league system.