DOMESTIC LEAGUE: A CORNERSTONE IN NIGERIA'S SPORTS ECONOMY – SHEHU DIKKO

The Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko (left) with the Chairman, NPFL Club Owners Association, Chief Okey Kpalukwu during a courtesy visit by the association to the Chairman in his office on Thursday,  7th Nov. 2024

"For the past eleven years, we have been diligently working to establish what we believe should be the ideal football league in Nigeria; one that serves as the cornerstone of our sports economy – the domestic football leagues." Dikko.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has been described as the cornerstone of the country's sports economy.

Giving this assertion is the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko when he received in audience, the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League Club Owners Association, Chief Dr. Okey Kpalukwu in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Thursday.

At the meeting, the NSC Chairman revealed that, "For the past eleven years, we have been diligently working to establish what we believe should be the ideal football league in Nigeria; one that serves as the cornerstone of our sports economy – the domestic football leagues."

He noted that previous efforts faced significant challenges due to a lack of alignment with key stakeholders. He, however, expressed optimism about the current situation, stating, "We are now in a position to take the driver's seat, support, and align with these stakeholders. We have no reason to complain or make excuses; it's time to put our plans into action."

Dikko urged club owners to implement domestic football leagues along the lines seen globally, aiming for a unified goal of developing a robust sports economy through elite domestic football. 

He emphasized that while football is not the only sport in Nigeria, it serves as the primary catalyst for the country’s sports development, adding that domestic league should set the standard for other sports to follow.

He encouraged the NPFL to shift its focus from competition alone, which he believes hinders club development emphasizing that “We need to move beyond just aiming for points; we must understand that the development of the game relies on rigorous training, youth development, and creating a supportive ecosystem. If we ensure the ecosystem thrives, everything else will follow.”

He stressed that football cannot solely rely on the success of competition-driven teams like the Super Eagles or youth national teams. Instead, the emphasis should be on production-driven development initiatives focused on enhancing the league structure. 

The Chairman hinted that the Commission is preparing to announce definitive steps to bolster domestic football, which will also facilitate the growth of leagues in other sports, such as basketball.

Dikko assured that all measures would be taken to ensure these leagues realize their long-term economic potential, benefitting the broader sports community. 

NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, in a group photograph with the NPFL Club Owners Association, led by their Chairman,  Chief Okey Kpalukwu and other management teams of the Commission, when the association payed a courtesy visit to the Chairman in his office on Thursday,  7th November, 2024

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners Association, Chief Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, extended congratulations to Dikko on his well-deserved appointment as the head of the National Sports Commission. 

He expressed the belief that Dikko’s expertise and passion for sports development made him the ideal choice for this critical role.

Chief Okey urged Dikko to prioritize infrastructure development, enhancement of existing facilities, and construction of new world-class venues for training and competitions. He assured the NSC Chairman of total support and commitment to collaborate in areas of expertise and resource mobilisation both from local and international organizations.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Kehinde Ajayi (Mrs), Director of Information of Public Relations of the Commission.