Proposed N2m minimum wage: SWAN President, Benjamin Isaiah backs NSC, advises clubs to explore opportunities

Proposed N2m minimum wage: SWAN President, Benjamin Isaiah backs NSC, advises clubs to explore opportunities

President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Benjamin Isaiah Kemje has thrown his weight behind the leadership of the National Sports Commission over the proposal for the all clubs participating in the Nigerian top flight league to page their minimum wage a sum of N2 million.

The Media expert from Leadership Newspaper made this known while featuring in a popular WhatsApp group in Nigeria, Sports World Platform on Friday, 17th July, 2026 hosted by Ibadan based Sports journalist, Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR). The Kogi born Media expert aligns with the National Sports Commission citing players exodus to obscured leagues on the allegations of slavery tendency by club Managers.

"On the question of a proposal of 2 Million Nara minimum wage for NPFL players, it's a proposal as you said, but it's left for the administrators to do the needful. For me, it would have been a good idea but the question is how many of the clubs will be able to afford it. This may be an opportunity for club owners to think outside the box and explore partnership and business opportunities with various multinationals to complement monthly subvention ,particularly the government owned clubs so that this will be a doable thing.

"For me, I think the proposal by the NSC is achievable but we need to how we can strengthen institution that would encourage all the clubs for them to live up to their expectations. If there is minimum wage across boards iis done, the idea of players exodus will obviously stop and the league will retain its best legs.

"Another point is that it will also help the club and the players to put in the best to achieve required success. For me, it's a good proposal if there is a political will.Though, some clubs have complained that it's not achievable but I can tell you for free, this is a possibility if we can give it all it takes, there is nothing impossible in Nigeria," he posited.

His leadership in both mainstream journalism and sports media continues to shape public discourse and strengthen the practice of journalism in Nigeria.

Credit: Sunday Agunbiade (Mr VAR)