The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has ruled that Nasarawa United FC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and league officials were negligent in the March 2020 death of footballer Chineme Martins, ordering compensation to his family. Martins, 25, collapsed during a Nigerian Premier League match at Lafia Township Stadium and later died. The court found it “reprehensible” that he was fielded without adequate medical screening and that there were no qualified medical staff or functional ambulance at the venue.
A 2020 NFF report confirmed the club lacked a team doctor and physiotherapist, and Martins had not undergone mandatory echocardiograms during his three seasons with the team. The case, supported by international players’ union FIFPRO, marked a rare legal win for player welfare in African football. Martins’ brother, Michael, expressed hope the ruling will prompt systemic changes to protect players’ health and safety nationwide.
