In a crucial meeting with the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Club Owners Association, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), outlined an inspiring vision to elevate Nigerian football. The session, attended by top league stakeholders, focused on positioning the NPFL as a driving force in Nigeria’s sports economy, youth development, and community welfare, according to a statement sent to The Sun News correspondent on Friday.
Dikko, who has maintained a strong rapport with club owners, reaffirmed his commitment to the league, calling the NPFL “the critical lever” for sports advancement in Nigeria. “We must make the league work. If the league works, everything works,” he asserted, emphasizing the NPFL’s role as the foundation for sustainable growth in Nigerian sports.
Underlining the league’s potential impact, Dikko noted that “When the elite league flourishes, the sports economy gets a boost.” A successful NPFL, he added, could unlock financial opportunities across the sector, setting a benchmark for national standards.
One of Dikko’s key announcements was an ambitious plan to address the country’s stadium shortage. With only one stadium meeting international standards, he revealed plans to build six new stadiums—one in each geopolitical zone. This development, welcomed by the Club Owners Association, aims to reduce reliance on foreign venues and enable Nigeria to host international events.
Youth development also featured prominently in the discussion, as Dikko proposed partnerships with state governments to support youth talent initiatives. “Relegation and winning titles is not everything,” he noted. “It’s about discovering and developing young players.” His vision includes creating a robust pipeline to cultivate future Nigerian football stars.
Dikko also highlighted football’s role in fostering community peace. Reflecting on his experience with the League Management Company (LMC), he observed that night matches reduced youth restiveness in local communities, creating a positive social impact.
With the strong backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dikko confirmed the administration’s commitment to revitalizing the NPFL. “The president is very interested in getting the league working,” he said, expressing optimism that this high-level support would attract investment and propel Nigerian football to global standards.
