The Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) has announced a new initiative to deploy retired international athletes into schools and local communities to mentor young girls. Oluwatoyin Aluko, the association’s president, stated during a press conference in Lagos on Thursday that the program aims to demonstrate how women can balance sporting careers with education and family life. The announcement preceded the organization’s maiden Annual General Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, 14 November.
According to Premium Times, Aluko explained that the association intends to introduce pupils to various sporting disciplines and follow up on promising talents through structured support. She emphasized that retired athletes have a responsibility to give back to the nation. "We have served this nation," Aluko said, adding that the group aims to make former competitors more visible to parents and students. The plan involves mentors visiting schools to teach sports and ensure they track the development of young participants until they become independent individuals.
The press conference also highlighted the social function of the gathering, which serves to reconnect former teammates who have not seen each other for up to 30 years. Bolanle Popoola, a member who competed for Nigeria starting in 1965, described the association as a vital link for scattered athletes. She recalled receiving only five shillings as pocket money during her championship years and noted that athletes were often owed allowances. Popoola appealed to the media to amplify the association’s activities and ensure former athletes receive greater recognition for their contributions.
Established in 2018, AFFAN has grown to more than 300 members across the country. Its primary priorities include improving the welfare of retired female athletes, providing skills acquisition opportunities, and encouraging career transitions into coaching and sports administration. The association achieved formal recognition from the National Sports Commission in 2025, a milestone Aluko described as both an honor and a responsibility. She argued that former athletes possess valuable technical knowledge and institutional memory that can shape the future of Nigerian sports.
As part of the activities surrounding the maiden AGM, members will participate in aerobics, basketball, table tennis, and arm-wrestling competitions. Aluko urged government institutions, corporate organizations, and development partners to support these programs. She concluded by stating that retirement from active sports does not mean retirement from service to the nation, calling on former athletes in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to join their respective state chapters.