NFF Defends Role in Supporting Families of Super Eagles Legends Amid Taribo West’s Outburst
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended itself after Taribo West accused football authorities of neglecting late goalkeeper Peter Rufai’s family.
It stated financial support was given to Rufai and Christian Chukwu’s families during their burials.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reacted to criticisms by former Super Eagles defender Taribo West, following viral videos in which he accused football authorities and the Lagos State Government of abandoning the late goalkeeper Peter Rufai’s family during his burial.
In a statement posted on its official X account, the NFF maintained that it had extended financial support to the families of Rufai and another Nigerian football legend, Christian Chukwu, during their burial rites.

The federation added that it had “stood in solidarity” with the families, honored the legacies of the late players, and would continue to support them.
This clarification came after outrage erupted during emotional scenes at Rufai’s burial, where several ex-internationals expressed dismay over the struggles his family reportedly faced in raising funds for his funeral.
Taribo West, visibly shaken, condemned what he described as the neglect of Nigerian football heroes. He said he wept at Rufai’s passing, something he admitted he had not done even when his parents died.
He compared Rufai’s plight to the struggles faced by other late Super Eagles greats, including Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini, and Yisa Sofoluwe, lamenting that Nigeria has consistently failed to properly honor those who gave their all for the nation.