Now that Peter Fregene is dead, who is next?
On October 14th, Peter Fregene, a former Green Eagles goalkeeper, passed away in a Sapele hospital. Fregene’s death marked the end of a life dedicated to Nigeria, but it seems the nation has already moved on and his name did not stay so long on the trends table.
To the best of my knowledge, and I sincerely hope that I am wrong, there were no “black armbands” at the Nigerian Professional Football League games after his death nor a minute of silence to pray for his soul. “Wearing black bands is not a part of our culture,” a reputable Nigerian sportscaster told me when I asked.
Yesterday, Peter Fregene’s family announced the burial arrangements which may momentarily remind us of his contributions, but his death and the circumstances surrounding it echo a deeper, troubling reality – Nigeria’s tendency to neglect its athletes after they’ve given their best years in service to the country.
A few days before his death, football legend Segun Odegbami took to social media and pleaded for public assistance on behalf of Peter Fregene. This call for help was not new, it only renewed the frustration shared by many in the sports community over the lack of a welfare system for retired athletes.
In fact, Segun Odegbami, in his Facebook post implied that he (and other Sports Advocates) had reached out to the same philanthropists like Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Babatunde Fashola, over and over again and they have generously stepped up to assist former athletes in dire need.
While the support from these individuals is invaluable, the fact that it’s repeatedly needed reveals a structural problem that cannot be fixed by individual charity alone. It is completely demoralising to think that an athlete who once brought joy to Nigerians could end up begging for help in his later years.
The story of Peter Fregene’s last years is unfortunately not an isolated one.
For many retired Nigerian athletes, especially footballers, their post-career years are filled with struggles, health battles, and, ultimately, silence from the government.
This tragic pattern has affected other prominent Nigerian footballers. Henry Nwosu, a hero of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations victory, suffered a stroke and needed help for treatment.
Emmanuel Emenike, a former Super Eagles forward, shared a video from his hospital bed, shedding light on his own struggles with poor health. Emmanuel Ebiede was hospitalized with hepatitis B and ultimately lost his battle.
Then there was Yisa Sofoluwe, once a revered figure in Nigerian defense, who died from cerebral atrophy, and Wilson Oruma, who endured severe mental health challenges after losing a fortune to fraud.
The stories go on.
Segun Odegbami, speaking to Neusroom, expressed his disappointment with the country’s lack of support. The legendary striker admitted that this strategy of waiting for a public outcry before rendering help to former athletes is not sustainable.
“We (former athletes) know all of us, we are in the same boat. We meet, we interact, and we socialize. You know people call you; they tell you ‘I don’t have this, I don’t have that. I’m blind, I have arthritis, and stuff like that,’ Dr Segun Odegbami told Neusroom.
I expressed my pain at the situation and told him issues like this are part of why young talents ply their trades elsewhere or shy away from sports. Dr Segun Odegbami disagrees but also said that it’s high time for athletes to consider their post-sports careers more carefully.
Yet, the responsibility does not lie solely with the athletes; there is a pressing need for national reform. “Yet it’s been reported that some people have been fighting for national insurance or other welfare schemes. They have fought and fought and fought, used their fight for that to try to get into positions of power, but it’s not working. So we have to change our strategy,” Segun Odegbami said.
Nigeria should do better, we have to
Nigeria, over 60 years post-independence, still lacks a basic welfare system for its athletes. Nigeria lacks a basic welfare system for all. This is a stark contrast to other countries that provide comprehensive support to their sports icons, ensuring their well-being long after they’ve retired from the field.
This issue extends beyond individual hardship and reveals a broader consequence: the impact on the morale of future and current athletes. When young Nigerians see their heroes forgotten and unsupported, they may begin to question the value of sacrificing their bodies and youth for the nation. This situation creates distrust and discouragement among those who may otherwise be inspired to represent Nigeria with pride and commitment.
Moreover, the neglect of retired athletes tarnishes Nigeria’s international image. A country that fails to honour its sports heroes sends a signal to the global community about the lack of value placed on its athletes, which could affect future opportunities, both at home and abroad, for Nigerian sports stars.
To remedy this, the government must act urgently and effectively. One solution could be a National Sports Welfare Fund, established in collaboration with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Such a fund could be supported by government allocations, voluntary contributions from active athletes, and a portion of revenues from national team matches and sponsorships. This dedicated fund would ensure that retired athletes, across all sports, have access to medical care and basic financial support when they need it most.
By prioritizing the welfare of current and former athletes, Nigeria would send a powerful message to the world – that it values those who have given their lives for the pride of the nation.
But perhaps more importantly, it would offer a lifeline to those who have carried the weight of Nigeria’s pride on their shoulders, ensuring they receive the honour and respect they so deeply deserve.
