Yemi Alade Calls Out Nigeria’s Sports Development Gaps

Summary: Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has criticised the country’s sports system, saying that athletes often face unpaid salaries and only receive attention once teams achieve success. She called for the government to build proper facilities and establish effective systems to support talent development.

Nigerian international music star Yemi Alade criticised the state of sports infrastructure and development in Nigeria on January 15th, 2025, highlighting the systemic failures that stifle talent and dreams. She tweeted that athletes’ salaries often go unpaid, and support from wealthy individuals and politicians only comes when teams are already performing.  

“You can’t even pay their salaries… only when a team is up, then billionaires and politicians show up. Build facilities and structure, create systems that work,” she said.

Yemi’s comments come amid ongoing debates about Nigeria’s sports infrastructure and funding gaps, particularly for the Super Eagles, whose players’ salaries and allowances have often faced delays.

A report by the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors noted that many sports facilities nationwide are in severe need of renovation, with some stadiums underutilised or poorly maintained due to low budgetary allocation and oversight gaps.