FCT FA Boss Hails Rise of Private Clubs in NPFL

Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA), Adam Mouktar Mohammed, has commended the increasing presence of privately owned clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), describing the trend as a positive development for football growth in the country.

Speaking during a media interaction with sports journalists in Abuja, Mouktar praised the football-friendly atmosphere in Lagos State, noting that it has created opportunities for private clubs to thrive and compete successfully at the highest level.

According to him, the success of privately run clubs reflects the changing landscape of Nigerian football and highlights the importance of private investment in the sport.

“I am impressed with the progress being made in Lagos State and within the NPFL,” Mouktar said. “Last season, Remo Stars emerged league champions, while clubs like Inter Lagos FC, Sporting Lagos FC, Ranchers Bees FC, and Doma United FC are pushing for promotion to the NPFL. If they succeed, the number of privately owned clubs in the top division will rise to eight, which is a remarkable milestone for Nigerian football.”

The FCT FA chairman stressed that increased private-sector participation is essential for football development in Abuja, especially as government-owned clubs continue to struggle with financial and administrative challenges.

He explained that public clubs often find it difficult to compete consistently against privately funded teams that enjoy better management structures and stronger financial backing.

“We need more private investors in football within the FCT because government-owned clubs have limitations due to their many responsibilities,” he said. “For Abuja to produce a strong NPFL club again, private investment will play a vital role.”

Mouktar also revealed that efforts have already been made to create a solid foundation for football development in the FCT, leading to the emergence of more organised and professionally run football academies across the territory.

“We have worked hard to create the right environment for football to grow, and that is why we are seeing more structured academies springing up,” he added. “What is needed now is greater support from investors to help move football development in the FCT to a higher level.”

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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