The National Sports Commission (NSC) has defended the Federal Government’s financial intervention in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), insisting that public investment is essential to reposition the domestic league and attract private sector participation.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement on Thursday, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, dismissed criticisms of the government’s involvement, stressing that successful football leagues around the world benefited from government support during their formative years.
Dikko, a former Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), recalled that between 2013 and 2022, the domestic league received no direct government funding, despite efforts to generate sponsorship revenue.
According to him, the lack of political backing slowed the league’s growth, adding that the current administration, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to creating the enabling environment for Nigerian football to thrive.
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He noted that the Commission had already committed ₦2.5 billion to support the league and improve players’ welfare, including efforts to raise the minimum wage for footballers.
He added that innovations introduced at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta had helped attract major corporate sponsorships, demonstrating that a more attractive football product would also lure investors.
Dikko revealed that the NSC recently secured a ₦5 billion sponsorship package for the National Sports Festival and said similar partnerships could be achieved for the NPFL through closer collaboration between the Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and league organisers.
Drawing comparisons with other countries, he argued that government support for football leagues is a global practice.
He cited the United Kingdom’s initial investment in the English Premier League, as well as public funding models in South Africa and Morocco, where governments continue to support league development through infrastructure, broadcasting and club subventions.
He maintained that investments in the domestic league would ultimately boost Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs, improving player welfare and generating increased tax revenues.
NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, expressed confidence that Dikko’s experience in football administration would help transform the league.
He said the NSC Chairman understands the challenges facing the domestic competition and is well positioned to implement lasting reforms with the backing of the Federal Government.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, urged stakeholders and the media to support the government’s intervention, recalling that previous sponsorship efforts were often frustrated by officials who discouraged corporate partners from investing in the league.
Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners Association, Sir Okey Kpaluku, also welcomed the intervention, describing government support as crucial to making the league commercially attractive and capable of drawing sustained private investment.
