Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West has stirred public debate with his emotional remarks about the Federal Government's supposed neglect of Nigeria’s retired football stars.
Taribo West, who played for AC Milan and Inter Milan in 1999, accused authorities of ignoring ex-footballers during their struggles. He cited the recent deaths of Peter Rufai and Christian Chukwu to illustrate his concerns.
Rufai, a former goalkeeper for the national team, died in Lagos last month after battling a long-term illness. His death occurred shortly after that of Christian Chukwu, another ex-Super Eagles captain and coach.
Rufai was buried on August 22, 2025, following a funeral mass, though controversy surrounded how the funeral was handled, raising concerns among former players.
West strongly criticized the lack of government support for iconic figures such as Stephen Keshi, Chukwu, and Rufai after their retirements. Fellow former players Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia backed West’s claims and also blamed the authorities for failing to assist with Rufai’s funeral expenses.
In its defense, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released an official statement asserting that it had financially supported the families of both deceased players.
Meanwhile, online discussions surfaced regarding West’s career earnings, prompting various public reactions.
Reports from All Africa and PM News revealed that West earned £1.24 million (₦193 million) during his 1999 season at AC Milan—placing him among the highest-paid players globally at the time. Adjusted to the current exchange rate, this amounts to ₦2.7 billion.
While many people agreed with West’s criticism of the government, others believed his substantial past income should have made government aid unnecessary.
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