But Ajiboye said if both business moguls invested in the NPFL, it would go a long way in uplifting the domestic league, which had been battling with sponsorship in recent seasons.
At the dawn of Nigeria’s independence, the Federal Government established the National Sports Commission , which served as the focal point from which all sporting activities emanated. The NSC aimed to create an enabling environment in which the practice of sport, the implementation of sound sporting structures, and the development of Nigerian sports could be realised.
Nigerian sports can be traced as far back as the pre-colonial days. The various traditional events that are held or practiced today can be traced directly to the forms of worship and festivals. Sports are linked with people’s aspirations, desires, fears, standards, and values. Sports have been a major source of national pride and identity.
Little is left to develop the basic framework of sports and the common practice has been for such government officials to further their ends. Fourth, the typical fire brigade approach to sports development has rendered the policy inefficient and a drain on resources. Yet, another reason for the failure of the policy has been its inability to harness contributions from all sectors of Nigerian society.
In the heart of Nigeria’s bustling sporting landscape lies a vision, championed by none other than the Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh. This vision, rooted in the transformative potential of private sector engagement, seeks to unlock the latent brilliance of Nigerian sports. Drawing inspiration from successful models observed in Europe and the USA, Enoh envisions a future where Nigerian clubs operate as private enterprises, driven by a spirit of competition, accountability, and excellence.
Similarly, in the USA, the franchise-based structure of major leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and MLS has facilitated significant private sector investment. Billionaire owners not only provide financial backing but also leverage their business acumen to enhance the commercial viability of their respective franchises.
However, the path towards private sector involvement in Nigerian sports is not without its challenges. Structural impediments such as regulatory barriers, corruption, and political interference pose significant hurdles to prospective investors. All eyes are therefore on Nigerian billionaires to take up the challenge to get involved in running sports development through ownership of clubs in the different genres of sports. In this way, Nigeria can say that it has joined the global giants of the business.
Rising concerns over the enormous powers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria underscore the exigency for holistic reform of the Nigerian justice system.