Senate proposes landmark bill to address unpaid benefits of retired Nigerian athletes

By Dayo Awoniyi

In a significant development for Nigerian sports, the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development has proposed new legislation aimed at securing the long-overdue benefits and entitlements of retired athletes.

The proposed Athlete Welfare and Entitlements Act seeks to address systemic neglect by ensuring prompt payment of outstanding allowances, pensions, healthcare access, and post-career support for former national athletes.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, announced the initiative during a courtesy visit by the Samuel Okparaji Foundation.

“For too long, our national heroes have been abandoned after their service. This legislation is a necessary first step toward giving them the justice and dignity they deserve,” he said.

If enacted, the bill would compel the Nigerian Sports Commission and relevant federations to conduct a comprehensive audit of debts owed to retired athletes. Preliminary findings from the Committee reveal that over 100 former athletes across various disciplines are owed benefits dating back more than three decades.

The legislation would also mandate the establishment of Retired Athletes Welfare Units within all sports federations, with dedicated annual budgets. Additionally, a national database will be created to monitor the welfare of retired athletes and ensure continuity in support systems.

Senator Ningi stressed that the bill would also aim to hold sports administrators accountable for historical financial mismanagement and negligence.

The draft bill is expected to be introduced for first reading in the Senate in the coming weeks. Public hearings will be held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to gather feedback from stakeholders before the final version is tabled for debate.