Dutch Clubs rally to raise €170,000 for Ex-Nigeria International Tijani Babangida’s medical treatment

Dutch football clubs Ajax, VVV Venlo, and Roda JC Kerkrade are spearheading efforts to raise €170,000 (approximately ₦272 million) to support their former player and ex-Nigeria international Tijani Babangida, who is currently in the Netherlands with his wife undergoing medical treatment following a tragic accident earlier this year.

In May, Babangida and his family were involved in a horrific accident along the Kaduna–Zaria Road in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of his one-year-old son, Fadil, and younger brother, Ibrahim. The crash also left Babangida, his wife, and their maid with various injuries.

Following initial treatment at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and another facility in Abuja, Babangida and his wife were flown to the Netherlands with help from his former teammates.

A publication titled “Tijjani Babangida’s suffering: ‘He laughs from the outside but cries from the inside’” revealed that Babangida’s wife recently underwent the first of several major facial surgeries, with three to four more expected. Meanwhile, Babangida is undergoing rehabilitation after knee surgery.

“There are financial challenges. The total cost of the treatment and associated expenses is at least €170,000. This is a significant amount that Baba cannot afford,” the publication stated, adding that poor investments and failed projects in Nigeria had left Babangida in financial difficulty.

The 1996 Olympic gold medallist expressed deep gratitude to his former clubs and teammates.

“Fortunately, Ajax, VVV, and Roda have all offered to help me. They have joined forces so that everyone can contribute through crowdfunding to pay my wife’s medical expenses. I think that’s very beautiful; I don’t know how to thank them,” Babangida said.

“These guys have done everything for me. When I arrived here, my driver’s licence was no longer valid. They took me everywhere – not just to the hospital but also to the rehabilitation centre, Adelante. My wife’s arm is paralysed; she can’t use it anymore. Rehabilitation will take months.”

Babangida, who played for Ajax for seven years, won the Eredivisie title in 1998 and two Dutch Cups, scoring 20 goals in 77 appearances. He also spent five years at Roda JC (1991–1996) and was on loan at VVV Venlo from 1991 to 1993.