Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West has strongly criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Lagos State Government for allegedly neglecting the family of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai.

Speaking at Rufai’s burial in a video shared by News Central, the ex-Inter Milan defender lamented how Nigerian football icons are abandoned after their deaths.

“It’s disheartening. Lagos State and the NFF left everything on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to live for in this system,” West said emotionally.

He recalled similar neglect of late football legends Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, stressing that such treatment discourages him from motivating his children to serve Nigeria through sports.

“With this kind of example, I will never advise my son to even put his feet in this country,” he declared.

Taribo expressed anger that Rufai’s family had to solicit financial help from friends and colleagues for burial expenses, describing the situation as “madness.”

His comments reignite debate over how Nigeria treats its sports heroes after their careers, highlighting the urgent need for better welfare policies for ex-athletes.