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‘Government Investment Will Transform Nigerian League, Boost Economy’ – Shehu Dikko
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has defended government intervention in domestic football, arguing that public investment has been instrumental in building some of the world’s most successful leagues.
Speaking on efforts to reposition the Nigerian league, Dikko dismissed claims that thriving football competitions operate without government support, citing examples from England, South Africa, and Morocco.
“When the EPL started in 1992, the British government first put down £200 million to get it started. At that time people also complained, but today, from that £200 million, the government gets £5–6 billion from taxes generated from the EPL.
“The South African government finds a way to put at least $20 million into the SA league indirectly through SABC, which buys the free-to-air rights. Every year, the British government also puts in over $400 million into the EPL through the BBC. The government of Morocco pays every club subvention, repairs stadiums, buys OB vans and provides several other interventions that help the league to grow,” he said.
Dikko expressed confidence that similar investments in Nigeria’s domestic league would yield significant economic returns over time.
“Just as the British government today generates more money through its investment in the EPL, the same will ultimately happen to the Nigerian economy. The money we put in will come back to the economy. We will have a truly professional league where the players will be well paid, and we will generate plenty of sporting jobs,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the current leadership has the experience and political backing needed to transform the domestic league.
“Mallam Dikko managed this league for several years, so if there is anyone who should know where the problem lies, he is the one. He should be in a good position to proffer solutions. And we have a President who wants to get this sorted. Where there is a will, there will surely be a way,” Olopade stated.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, urged stakeholders and the media to support the Federal Government’s efforts to revive the domestic league.
“I can recall those days when we thought we were about to hit a gold mine with the league, only for a government official to call our sponsors overnight and they would back off. Now we have a government that wants to support the development of our league. We should encourage them rather than discourage them,” Gusau said.
Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners Association, Sir Okey Kpaluku, also applauded the NSC and the Federal Government for their intervention, stressing that sustainable funding is essential for the league’s growth.
“You need money to have a successful league. Without government support, it is very difficult. The private sector can only come in after the government has made substantial investments. We have to make the league attractive first for investors to come in. On behalf of the NPFL clubs, I must thank the Federal Government for this intervention,” Kpaluku said.
