Former Super Eagles Deefender Omeruo Exposes Fake Agents Exploiting His Name

Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has taken to Instagram to warn aspiring footballers about the growing menace of fake agents in Nigeria, condemning those who exploit his name and personal relationships to defraud young players.

In a candid video, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner revealed that even he had once been scammed by an agent, stressing how vulnerable young talents are to fraud.

‘There are a lot of fake agents out there, and most of them are just after your money,’ Omeruo said.

‘I know it can be frustrating being in Nigeria or in Africa and you’re just looking for any opportunity. Whenever a story comes that might not be true, you want to believe it because you’re desperate to travel and further your career. But we have to be careful, because as there are good agents, there are double the size of fake agents as well.’

Omeruo specifically distanced himself from Oma Akatugba, a journalist and football intermediary whose alleged misuse of Omeruo’s personal chats and connections with other stars like Victor Osimhen and Ogenyi Onazi has been linked to scams targeting academy players.

‘I seriously condemn the use of my personal chats or my personal relationship with Oma,’ Omeruo said. ‘I am really disappointed that he had to use the fact that he knows me to scam some of you. Oma, if you see this, you need to seriously address this issue. If you have to refund them, you do so, because this is not the legacy we want to leave behind.’

He urged young footballers to be vigilant, warning that desperation for opportunities abroad often makes them easy prey.

‘If someone like myself can get scammed by an agent, talk more of you that are still in Nigeria and still trying to find your way out,’ he said.

Omeruo’s public condemnation adds to mounting concern in Nigerian football circles about fraudulent agents who exploit the dreams of young players.