By Deborah Coker
The Chancellor of the Sports University of Nigeria, Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta, Sen. Ned Nwoko, has called for greater collaboration between government institutions and private stakeholders to build a sustainable, competitive football structure in the country.
Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abuja, on Monday.
He noted that stronger private sector participation was essential for the growth of the sports in the country and capable of producing lasting results locally and internationally.
According to him, the absence of strong private sector investment and inadequate funding remains a major gap and constraint on football development across the country.
“Nigerian investors have both the capacity and the influence to transform football into a thriving industry that benefits the nation economically and socially,”
He therefore called on Nigerian billionaires and corporate investors to take a more active role in funding football clubs,
“Most of the challenges facing our football ecosystem today are linked to funding. The government cannot do everything.
“Across the world, many successful football clubs are driven by private investors, and Nigeria cannot afford to remain an exception,” he said.
The lawmaker added that the limited number of professionally ran clubs had reduced opportunities for players, coaches and referees to gain the exposure needed for international competitiveness.
“The more clubs we have, the greater the opportunities for engagement, professional development and international qualification. Without adequate investment, those opportunities remain limited,” he said.
Nwoko further said that private investment in football should be seen not merely as financial support for sports but as a broader contribution to youth development, employment generation and national sporting prestige.
NAN