Imo Strikers Chairman Alleges Breach of NWFL Slot Agreement by Osun Babes
The Chairman of Imo Strikers of Owerri, Prince Chidi Chinedu, has lamented the failure of the management of Osun Babes to honour a business agreement and demonstrate professionalism in their dealings with him.
Chidi, while speaking with the media, stated that several efforts have been made for the Osogbo-based team to pay the outstanding ₦15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) balance for the NWFL Premiership slot exchange, but all attempts have been unsuccessful.
“I thought I was dealing with transparent people and that we would easily wrap up a simple business agreement. I never knew I would be introduced to a new game of hide-and-seek since October 21, 2025, when Imo Strikers and Osun Babes signed the agreement,” he said.
According to him, the agreement stipulated a one-off payment of ₦25 million for the slot. However, after forwarding his account details for full payment, he was credited with ₦10 million, after which Osun Babes reportedly announced their new Premiership status in the media.
He further explained that the club later pleaded for time and promised to pay the remaining ₦15 million on or before November 30, 2025, leading to a redrafting of the agreement through calls and discussions.
“The money was not supposed to be paid in tranches; it was meant to be a one-off payment. I did not take it lightly when they announced a new Premiership status while their financial obligations had not been concluded,” he added.
Chidi also alleged that several of his calls were ignored. He recalled that the Team Manager of Osun Babes, Mr. Tope Akinlade, allegedly sent messages reprimanding him and suggesting that he did not understand how a state government runs its affairs.
He said this was followed by an official letter signed by Akinlade, stating that the Osun State Government was experiencing financial challenges and was not in a position to immediately settle the outstanding balance.
“If Osun State is in a financial mess and cannot run an NWFL Premiership club, why purchase a slot you cannot fully pay for?” Chidi queried.
Prince Chidi disclosed that he also contacted the General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Mr. Ademola Daini, who did not answer his call but sent a message indicating he would return the call — which, according to him, never happened.
“Tope now avoids me, does not pick my calls, and does not respond to my messages — the same Tope who begged and promised heaven and earth while negotiating for the Premiership slot,” he stated.
The Imo Strikers Chairman is now seeking the intervention of the Osun State Government, the owners of Osun Babes, and the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), the body that oversees the Premiership, to ensure the payment of the outstanding ₦15 million.
It would be recalled that in 2019, Colin Edwin Football Club of Lagos recovered its Nigeria National League (NNL) slot from Osun United after the latter failed to fulfil a ₦6 million payment agreement.
The recovered slot was later handed over to FC One Rockets by mutual consent.
Meanwhile, Osun Babes are currently struggling in the NWFL Premiership, having recorded eight points from seven matches this season.
