Football for Nigerian clubs: the former international calls for structural reforms and better welfare

Former Stationery Stores captain and junior international Taiwo Oloyede has called for far-reaching structural reforms, improved player welfare and strategic recruitment of foreign talent to help Nigerian clubs regain their competitiveness in continental football.

Oloyede, 63, who has played for 12 different clubs in the Nigerian domestic league, made the recommendations following Enugu Rangers’ elimination from the CAF Champions League, a disappointing result for a club he once represented during his playing career.

The former midfielder-turned-coach believes Nigerian football needs to look beyond current challenges and revisit the foundations that once made domestic clubs formidable opponents on the African continent.

He pointed to the successful periods of Enyimba and Stationery Stores as examples of what Nigerian clubs could achieve with proper planning, quality recruitment and a strong commitment to player development.

According to Oloyede, Nigerian clubs should be more deliberate in recruiting talented players from abroad, stressing that quality foreign imports do not have to come exclusively from Europe.

“I believe it is time to return to the era of Enyimba and Stationery Stores by looking beyond our shores and bringing in quality foreign players. They do not necessarily have to come from Europe; other African countries have many talented players who can strengthen our teams,” he said.

He argued that other African countries possess players capable of improving the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian teams, especially those seeking to make significant progress in continental competitions.

Beyond recruitment, the former Stationery Stores skipper highlighted the importance of player welfare, attractive incentives and a motivational environment that encourages footballers to perform at their best.

He cited Julius Berger during boss Daniel Idama’s era as an example of a club that understood the value of motivating players and rewarding their contribution.

“We also need to improve player welfare and introduce attractive incentives to motivate them. Clubs like Julius Berger, during the era of boss Daniel Idama, understood the importance of motivating and rewarding players for their efforts,” he said.

Rebuilding Nigerian club football for Oloyede requires more than reacting to disappointing results. It requires a deliberate structure that combines sound governance, competitive teams, adequate welfare packages and sustained investment in performance.

His recommendations come at a time when the continental ambitions of Nigerian clubs continue to come under scrutiny following Rangers’ failure to secure a place in the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

“These are some of the measures our clubs must take if they want to compete effectively and achieve success in continental competitions,” he said.

Oloyede brings considerable experience to the debate. As well as representing 12 national clubs, he achieved numerous accolades in Nigerian football and won a silver medal at WAFU U-20 level.

He also holds a distinctive place in the history of Stationery Stores, having captained the boyhood club, a rare achievement which underlines his long-standing connection with the Lagos-based team.

According to the former BCC star Lions of Gboko, if Nigerian clubs hope to compete consistently with leading African teams, they must strengthen their structures, recruit intelligently and make player welfare a priority rather than an afterthought.