Ben Iroha reveals why he would reject NFF Presidency “even for free”

Former Super Eagles defender Ben Iroha has ruled out a move into the NFF presidency while calling for reforms and urging Nigeria’s young footballers to prepare for life after retirement.

Former Super Eagles defender Ben Iroha has revealed that he would reject the opportunity to become president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), despite growing calls for former internationals to play a leading role in reforming Nigerian football.

Speaking in an interview with Premium Times Nigeria published on Wednesday, Iroha said he was willing to serve his country in other ways but did not believe the NFF presidency was a position he wanted to take.

“If they give it to me for free, I won’t take it,” the former international said, explaining that there were responsibilities associated with the role that he could not manage.

His comments come at a difficult period for Nigerian football following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons also missed out on qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Iroha said Nigeria must confront the problems affecting the game, understand what went wrong and find a way to move forward.

The former defender also compared his generation with today’s players, arguing that while Nigeria still possesses considerable talent, the passion for representing the country has changed. According to Iroha, players of his era placed enormous value on wearing the green-and-white jersey and often felt a stronger attachment to the national team.

He also urged current footballers to think seriously about their futures before retirement, stressing that professional careers are short and the money earned during playing days can disappear quickly without proper planning.

Iroha said he had prepared for life after football before ending his career, eventually moving to Dallas, Texas, where he had already purchased a home and later established himself in the spare-parts and car business. He said his experience showed the importance of planning early rather than waiting until retirement arrives.