The former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhassan Yakmut, has urged Nigerian athletes to develop financial discipline and begin planning early for life after their sports careers.
Yakmut offered this advice on Tuesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
His remarks came in response to ex-Super Eagles defender Taribo West, who had accused the Federal Government of neglecting former international athletes.
Yakmut dismissed the claim, saying financial difficulties faced by many retired athletes result from poor financial choices during their active years, not government negligence.
“Most footballers made a lot of money in their careers but failed to plan properly,” he said.
He also criticized excessive spending on luxury items, pointing out, “You would wonder why a third-world player owns a private jet.
Whether flying or parked, it drains money and brings no income.”
He explained that while civil servants and military personnel spend decades preparing for retirement, most athletes focus solely on their careers without setting up long-term financial plans.
He stressed the importance of saving, investment, and financial education, warning, “For every rainy day that you are enjoying, you should know that it may be followed by hard times.”
Yakmut recalled that about 12 years ago, a national committee introduced recommendations to help athletes prepare for retirement, including guidance on insurance, investment diversification, and life after sports.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for structured financial training for athletes while they are still active, saying, “There should be a deliberate arrangement to tutor ex-internationals and internationals while still playing, so that they prepare for tomorrow.”