The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mohammed Sanusi, has called for more private investment in Nigerian football, saying it will propel it to greater heights.
This comes as the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four involving Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos, Doma United and Ranchers Bees, all privately-owned, takes centre stage on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
He said the era of state government owning football clubs is no longer fashionable as those clubs struggle to meet the demands of their players and officials, subsequently leading to players’ exodus from the league after securing ‘lucrative offers’ outside the country when compared to their earnings in Nigeria.
Sanusi, however, commended the private club owners for their contribution to the league, charging more individuals, private and corporate organisations to join.
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The likes of Remo Stars of Ikenne, Ikorodu United of Lagos and Kun Khalifa from Owerri are private clubs participating in the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
“I think it’s not just about the League, it’s about the economy. Players are leaving because the economies of the countries they are moving to are good, and they get good money.
“Coupled with the fact that players are being owed by individual and corporate organisations and cannot afford to pay good money and take good care of them.
“But significantly, the premiership clubs are owned by state governments. And so managing a club in a state is a really difficult task.
“Now, if these clubs are returned to private organisations or individuals, I think they will take more of a business-like venture rather than a recreation because an individual or a corporate organisation will not put their money where they will not get profits.
“In that case, they say “good food na money do am” (meaning: good food is a result of good money). They bring good players, they pay good money, and the return is what they expect, and that would go a long way,” Sanusi told Sporting Tribune in Abuja.
He added, “Nigerians want to be entertained. When they see good players playing for clubs, they will go to the stadium and through that, a lot of money will come to the clubs, and sponsors alike will like to key into it.
“It’s about our ability to make sure that the government hands over clubs to private organisations and individuals to manage so that it becomes a business rather than a mere recreation.
“Then secondly, Nigeria has turned into the Mecca of football. Every agent who is looking for talent would like to come to Nigeria.
“So once a Nigerian player knows how to trap ball, pass ball and distribute, he becomes a professional player and thereby crippling the beauty of the league here at home.
“So, if the good players are not staying, what are people going to watch? And for them (players) to be retained is to have a good take-home.
“If there’s good money, they won’t go anywhere. You see Nigerian players going to Cotonou here, going to Niger (Republic) to play professional football, and once they cross over, they become professional.”
Although playing in the Super Four to determine the champions of the NNL, the foursome of Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos, Doma United and Ranchers Bees have all secured promotion to play in 2026/2027 NPFL season.
