Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi has criticised the organisational structure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), revealing that players occasionally face logistical challenges when reporting for national team duties.
The Fulham star made the revelation while speaking about the differences between Nigeria’s football setup and the more structured environment he experienced in England before committing his international future to the Nigeria national football team.
According to Iwobi, the level of organisation in Nigeria’s national team system sometimes leaves players responsible for handling their own travel arrangements.
The 27-year-old midfielder disclosed that there were instances where flights were not properly arranged for players invited to the national team camp.“Sometimes your flight is not booked properly, so you have to book your own flight,” Iwobi said.
“When you arrive, sometimes no one is there to pick you up at the airport, so you have to make your own way to the team hotel.”
Iwobi also highlighted differences in camp arrangements, noting that certain conditions during international duty in Nigeria were far less structured compared to England’s national team environment.
He explained that while the accommodation is generally acceptable, issues such as power outages and unrestricted access to team hotels sometimes occur during camp.
“The hotels are okay, but sometimes the light goes out and you don’t even have anywhere to charge your phone,” he added. “In England, nobody is allowed into the hotel, but in Nigeria people can come into your room whenever they want.”
The former Arsenal F.C. midfielder also revealed that he initially had doubts about representing Nigeria internationally due to the differences in organisation.
However, he credited his family — particularly his father and uncle — for encouraging him to give Nigeria a chance.Despite the early challenges, Iwobi said he has no regrets about choosing to represent Nigeria over England.
“I did love England, but because I grew up in a Nigerian household, Nigeria has always been a part of me,” he said.
Iwobi has since established himself as a key figure in the Super Eagles squad, earning numerous caps and playing an important role in Nigeria’s midfield over the years.
