NNPC Ltd has pledged to work with stakeholders to revitalise Nigerian football, aiming to boost the sport and the economy.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has pledged its support to revitalise the football sector in Nigeria, with the aim of boosting both the sport and the country’s economy.
The commitment was made by Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd, during a meeting at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Thursday.
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The occasion marked the reception of a delegation from the National Sports Commission, the International Management Group (IMG), and Afrosport Network.
Kyari expressed strong enthusiasm for the role NNPC Ltd would play in the transformation of Nigerian football.
He described the company as ready to lead efforts to reshape and commercialise the sport, bringing much-needed value and entertainment to the Nigerian people.
“NNPC will be a prime partner in the journey to bring back value to our football, to reshape it, re-engineer it and bring happiness to our people,” he said.
The partnership between NNPC Ltd and stakeholders in the football industry comes at a time when Nigerian football faces significant challenges but also presents vast opportunities.
Kyari emphasised that football could provide immense value to the national economy, as well as to NNPC Ltd. He further highlighted the company’s readiness to collaborate with key players in the sports sector, with the ultimate goal of reinvigorating the Nigerian football scene.
Alhaji Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission and Minister of Sports, led the delegation and shared the government’s vision for the sport.
He underscored the importance of football to the global economy, citing its role in the success of footballing powerhouses around the world.
Dikko also revealed that President Bola Tinubu had called for immediate action to revitalise Nigerian football, which he believes could generate significant economic benefits.
According to Dikko, football’s economic benefits extend beyond the game itself. The sport has the potential to stimulate industries across the value chain, creating jobs, boosting infrastructure, and supporting related sectors such as media and hospitality.
With this in mind, the Nigerian government is eager to work closely with corporate partners like NNPC Ltd to capitalise on football’s untapped potential.
IMG, the renowned organisation responsible for promoting the English Premier League, has been brought in as a technical partner to leverage its extensive experience in the sports industry.
This partnership aims to inject much-needed expertise into the development and commercialisation of Nigerian football.
The commitment to reviving football also draws from NNPC Ltd’s historical ties to the sport. The company once operated its own football club, NNPC FC Warri, which competed in Division One of the Nigeria National League until it was disbanded in 1989.
The revival of football through NNPC Ltd signals a return to this important legacy.
With the backing of key stakeholders, including NNPC Ltd, the National Sports Commission, and IMG, the future of Nigerian football looks promising.
The efforts to revive the sport are seen as crucial to not only enhancing the game itself but also generating long-term economic growth and national pride.
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