The resurgence of private clubs in Nigerian football – Daily Trust

Private clubs in Nigerian football have historically struggled to survive, but are currently experiencing a significant resurgence characterised by improved management and recent competitive success. For instance, in the just concluded Nigeria National League (NNL) season, the four clubs that have picked the tickets to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) – Doma United, Inter Lagos, Sporting Lagos and Ranchers Bees of Kaduna – are privately owned clubs. They are about to compete in the Super 4 competition in Ikenne to determine the overall winner of the 2026 NNL season.

The return of private clubs to the Nigerian football ecosystem is a welcome development because it’s in line with modern trends. World over, the football business is private-sector driven as governments only provide the enabling environment for the clubs to continue. The government is not expected to invest directly or become owners of football clubs.

However, since the advent of professional football in Nigeria, government-owned clubs have continued to dominate the different divisions, leaving little or no space for clubs owned by individuals or corporate entities to flourish. It’s on record that in the 20th century, many well-known privately-owned clubs, such as Abiola Babes, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Udoji United, Julius Berger, Jasper United, and Stationery Stores, struggled and eventually collapsed due to the high costs of operation and the lack of a sustainable business environment.

SPONSOR AD

The disappearance of most of those historic clubs didn’t come as a surprise because private owners often faced an “unfavourable ecosystem” where they had to shoulder all financial responsibilities, from player welfare to travel, while state clubs benefited from consistent government funding and political influence.

The 21st century witnessed the entry of privately owned clubs like FC IfeanyiUbah, MFM Lagos, and Giwa FC Jos into the Nigerian league, but they also fell by the wayside due to unhealthy competition. These clubs also struggled or disbanded due to financial pressures and administrative hurdles. While the private owners struggled to meet the minimum financial requirements, the government clubs continued to enjoy the steady flow of funds.

Despite the unfavourable conditions in Nigerian football, certain public-spirited individuals have shown uncommon resilience by setting up clubs that are increasingly becoming the “face” of professionalism in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL).  Remo Stars won the 2025 NPFL title, becoming the first private club to do so in 25 years (since Julius Berger in 2000).

 In the ongoing NPFL season, a private club, Ikorodu City, is among the serious contenders for the title. The Lagos boys are currently third in the table behind perennial favourites Enugu Rangers and Rivers United. As stated earlier, all the four clubs that have gained promotion in the just concluded regular season of the NNL are privately owned.

Although the defending champions of the NPFL, Remo Stars, are currently fighting against relegation, it is hoped that they will survive the drop. If that happens, at least six privately owned clubs would feature in the 2026/2027 NPFL season. It will not only be an unprecedented success but a bold statement that Nigerian football is gradually moving in the right direction. Yes, the right direction because these private clubs have introduced a business-first approach that contrasts sharply with the often bureaucratic state-run clubs.

Before the current downward trend in Remo Stars, the club owned by a Nigerian billionaire, Kunle Soname, was hailed as the best-run in Nigeria, employing structured financial discipline and long-term planning. Meanwhile, clubs like Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City utilise aggressive digital marketing and fan engagement strategies, including professional websites and social media presence, to build their finances and fan loyalty.

These are no doubt positive and invaluable contributions from private individuals to Nigerian football. Sadly, despite these recent successes, private clubs still face major hurdles, evident in unfair competition. Government clubs most times boast of excess money from public funds, making it hard for private investors to compete on a level playing field.

In addition, private teams must often pay to use state-owned facilities and cover heavy travel costs for 38-game seasons with minimal league sponsorship support. There is also the nagging issue of unfavourable officiating. Most private clubs lack the financial capacity to fight with government clubs for certain “favours” from the game’s arbiters. These are some of the impediments that have continued to suffocate privately owned clubs in Nigerian football.

I remember what a former official of the NFF, Mr Emmanuel Adesanya, who is now consulting for Doma United, said at the recently held draws for the Super 4 playoff. The man, who is also called “Universal coach”, said: I pray for more. It will be more competitive if we have private clubs in the Nigerian premiership.

“Government teams, I am sorry to say, they don’t know what it is to bring flair into the game. They have surplus money. They have, I want to say “Awuf” money, permit me to use the word.

“But an individual who pumps in money knows the worth and value of his money and can go for quality players. My team is different from our team. That is why I say we should encourage more private teams to come in, as Doma United have done.”

Mr. Adesanya only stated the obvious in his interview. However, some people, especially the beneficiaries of the aberration called government-owned clubs, will not be happy with his honest submission.

Government clubs in the NPFL are simply conduit pipes used in siphoning public funds. State governments sink millions of naira annually into these clubs without anything to show for such investment. Those appointed as chairmen and managers of the clubs are oftentimes accused of misappropriation of public funds. In Nigeria, “football money” is hardly accounted for. In fact, accountability and professionalism are not prioritised in government-sponsored clubs.

Consequently, the resurgence of privately owned clubs in Nigerian football couldn’t have happened at a better time. For so many decades now, government-owned clubs have failed to restore Nigeria’s lost pride in continental football. Every season, the same clubs return to participate in CAF competitions, yet the results hardly change. They are either knocked out at the first hurdle or eliminated after embarrassing results, even if they manage to reach the knockout phase. Rivers United exited this year’s CAF Champions League at the group stage, where they failed to record a single victory. Indeed, government clubs are perennial failures.

Therefore, the increasing number of private clubs in the Nigerian football system is a positive shift toward a professional, results-driven model that challenges the traditional dominance of government-funded teams. While the league has historically relied on state sponsorship, private investment is now being viewed as the primary catalyst for commercial viability and long-term stability.

So, my solemn prayer is for private clubs like Remo Stars, Doma United, Sporting Lagos, Inter Lagos, Kun Khalifat and recently resuscitated Ranchers Bees to survive the hiccups that consumed trailblazers like Abiola Babes, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Julius Berger, Stationary Stores, BCC Lions, Udoji United and all other historic Nigerian clubs that are now resting in perfect peace.