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Private Investors League: Ex-UI Footballers Call For Caution

Published

5 years ago

June 18, 2020

A group of Ex- Footballers from the premier University of Ibadan has cautioned the proponents of the Private Investors League to thread with caution in the pursuit of their plan to float a parallel football league in the country.

Discussing the issue on their WhatsApp platform, the group, many of whom represented the country at various levels said although the importance of having private investors in the Nigerian Football League cannot be over emphasized, considering the role the private sector is playing in major leagues across the world, there was nonetheless, a need for caution. According to the ex footballers, “US private investors are involved in owning and managing some of the biggest football clubs in the world including Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in England while, Arab investors run Manchester City, and a Russian investor owns Chelsea FC”.

They said that having such investors would attract more foreign players into Nigerian clubs, enhance the quality of the league, the training facilities and the stadiums, improve welfare packages for players and above all, ensure massive projection of the Nigerian league to the world.

Further more, the ex footballers, most of whom are now accomplished executives in different fields across the world, believed that the idea of floating a separate league in the country, would compound the already bad situation that the country’s football is facing.

“So far, it appears only India operates a parallel league and this may not be unconnected with their population”. “Again, that begs the question of India’s pedigree in global football”, they said.

“No serious country has two leagues. It just won’t work here in Nigeria. If we are copying the European leagues who are obviously the best in the business and they don’t have two leagues, so where are we taking our own from!?”, they fumed.

“Instead of creating further problems in an already volatile industry”, they advised “the Private Investors to seek audience with the Nigerian Football Federation, League Management Company, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to delibrate on how the league should be run to make it one of the best in the world”.

The group further advised the private investors to support the league organizers to access adequate funds to put the League in proper shape, while putting measures in place to monitor the funds invested in the league, in line with international best practices.

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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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