Former Nigeria international, Sam Sodje has urged his ex-teammates to focus on education and personal development. He stressed that life after football is about more than money.
Speaking on the challenges facing retired players, Sodje told Brila.net, “Many ex-internationals don’t have the capacity to understand what you are saying.
“They are more interested in playing charity games than standing up and doing the right thing.”
He highlighted that football alone cannot secure a player’s future, noting that knowledge and education are essential for meaningful contributions both on and off the field.
“If you put me in front of doctors or lawyers, I would have something to say. It is not all about football. In my family meetings, I can’t contribute if I do not have some level of education,” he explained.
Sodje also emphasized that neither the government nor the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) owes retired players money.
“The government does not owe us anything, neither does the NFF. But what the government owes us is infrastructure and the right people to take care of sporting individuals. It is not all about money. When people talk about life after sport, they think it is about money. It is about doing the right thing,” he said.
He praised those ex-internationals who have invested in education, adding, “We have a couple of players who took the time to educate themselves. It is not a matter of how many games you played for Nigeria. It is about your knowledge and education.”
Since retiring, Sodje has remained actively involved in Nigerian football.
He currently serves as a board member of the Delta State Sports Commission, where he advocates for grassroots development and corporate investment in sports.
Beyond football administration, he has pursued education and business ventures.
