PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT CRITICAL TO NIGERIAN FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT — SENATOR NED NWOKO

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development has called on Nigerian billionaires and corporate investors to take a more active role in funding football clubs, stressing that stronger private sector participation is essential for the growth of the sport in Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday during the 2026 budget defence session of the National Sports Commission, the Chancellor of the Sports University of Nigeria, Idumuje-Ugboko observed that inadequate investment remains a major constraint on football development across the country.

According to him, “Most of the challenges facing our football ecosystem today are linked to funding. Government cannot do everything. Across the world, many successful football clubs are driven by private investors, and Nigeria cannot afford to remain an exception.”

He noted that the limited number of professionally run clubs has reduced opportunities for players, coaches and referees to gain the exposure needed for international competitiveness.

“The more clubs we have, the greater the opportunities for engagement, professional development and international qualification. Without adequate investment, those opportunities remain limited,” he said.

He further stressed that private investment in football should be seen not merely as financial support for sports but as a broader contribution to youth development, employment generation and national sporting prestige.

“The absence of strong private sector investment is a major gap. Nigerian investors have both the capacity and the influence to transform football into a thriving industry that benefits the nation economically and socially,” he added.

He therefore urged greater collaboration between government institutions and private stakeholders to build a sustainable and competitive football structure capable of producing lasting results locally and internationally.