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Kesington Adebutu: The Man On A Mission To Revive Grassroots Football In Nigeria

Published

5 years ago

January 16, 2021

Over the years, grassroots football in Nigeria has suffered untold hardship due to the absence of reliable and competent corporate sponsorship.

Every big company or corporate bodies have their attention fixed on the NPFL or the Super Eagles, obviously because they want instant mileage and recognition.

The Nigeria National League, NNL, and the Nationwide League One, NLO have gone caps in hands begging for sponsors to keep the leagues afloat and kudos must be giving to the likes of Bet9ja owned by the chairman of Remo Stars Football Club, Kunle Soname.

It is on record that they single-handedly sponsored the NNL for two seasons.

Expectations rose to the heavens when the chairman/CEO of Nilayo sports company, Bukola Olopade was appointed Chief Executive officer of the league. Many were confident that based on his track records, the NNL will experience a new lease of life.

That was exactly what happened as Nilayo sports marketing agency set the ball rolling from day one as the sponsors came in, in their numbers. However, the politics of Nigerian football coupled with the behind the scene maneuverings forced the CEO to quit after just a few months in office.

His departure left the league in total shambles. There were not willing sponsors and those already in, left without a formal goodbye.

Then just last year, the chairman of the league board and member of the executive committee of the NFF, Chidi Okenwa died leaving the nation in a rude shock.

His exit meant there was a vacancy to be filled and the NFF in their wisdom went for a willing ally, a man who as chairman of Senate committee of sports for over 6years has failed to stamp his authority or make a mark for all to see or appreciate.

So to many, it was a big surprise to see that the NNL Congress held in his home town of Abakaliki on Friday started with some ray of hope as another betting company was unveiled as title sponsors of the league.

Unfortunately, today’s ceremony was without the usual fanfare befitting for an event of this magnitude.

This is because the organizers were shy of publicity or didn’t want the media to ask probing questions regarding the full details of the deal and what it has for the clubs.

From the outside, many will want to use this opportunity to once again thank the honorable minister of youth and sports, Mr. Sunday Dare who has continuously emphasized the need to develop sports at the grassroots. In his commitment and drive to actualize this dream, he promised to revive Nigeria’s sporting facilities and started off with the Moshood Abiola international stadium in Abuja, the Katsina stadium in Daura, and the National Stadium in Lagos.

Africa’s richest man and renowned businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has promised to finish rehabilitation work at the Moshood Abiola international stadium before the end of the first quarter of 2021 while Sir Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu, a very close friend and ally to Mr. Sunday Dare has rolled out the wheels in Lagos as work is in top gear.

Many are quick to suggest that the Sports minister has helped to increase private and corporate sponsors’ passion and love for Nigeria sports. The Oyo state was born former journalist turn politician is a no-nonsense result driven and passionate man who will stop at nothing but the best.

It will therefore not be a surprise that Dare who at one point rose in support of the women’s league when they went caps in hands begging for support ahead of the season-opening congress has used his connections to once again bail the NNL from obvious collapse.

We only hope that the league organizers will leverage this support and give the sponsors the expected mileage that will give them joy and the zeal to hang on for a long time.

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Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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