News
“Nigerian Clubs Must Build Sustainable Revenue Beyond Matchdays”- Yisa Jamiu Reveals
As debates continue over the financial sustainability of Nigerian football, sports enthusiast Yisa Jamiu has identified the inability of clubs to generate consistent revenue beyond matchdays as the biggest commercial challenge confronting teams in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Sports247, Jamiu argued that while sponsorship remains important, many clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), and football academies have failed to develop the commercial structures necessary to attract long-term investment and achieve financial stability.
According to him, the overdependence on government funding remains one of the major obstacles hindering the growth of Nigerian football.
“The biggest commercial challenge facing clubs in the NPFL, NNL, and academies is the inability to build sustainable revenue beyond matchdays,” Jamiu said.
“Many clubs rely heavily on government funding. Poor marketing, weak branding, limited media exposure, and low fan engagement have also contributed to the financial struggles of most teams.”
The sports enthusiast noted that many clubs lack a clear commercial identity and long-term vision that can attract investors, sponsors, and supporters.
He further observed that most clubs share similar objectives centred solely on winning trophies rather than building strong and sustainable football institutions.
“Most teams have virtually the same vision and mission: ‘We want to win the league.’ That seems to be the primary focus of everyone,” he said.
Jamiu stressed that modern football requires clubs to think beyond results on the pitch by creating brands that supporters can connect with and by developing alternative sources of income through merchandising, partnerships, media rights, and community engagement initiatives.
He also called on club administrators to adopt more professional business models capable of generating revenue independently rather than relying almost entirely on government allocations and the personal finances of club owners.
According to him, it is time for Nigerian football stakeholders to shift their attention toward building commercially viable football institutions that can compete sustainably both on and off the pitch.
The comments once again highlight the growing conversation around the need for structural reforms in Nigerian football, with experts increasingly advocating for better governance, stronger branding, and innovative revenue-generation strategies to ensure the long-term survival and growth of clubs across the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a new technical package containing seven proven strategies to help governments and communities prevent drowning, one of the leading causes of death among children globally.
The initiative, known by the acronym PROTECT, was unveiled ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day, observed annually on 25 July.
In a statement issued on Thursday, WHO said nearly 300,000 people die from drowning every year, making it one of the 10 leading causes of death among children aged five to 14 years worldwide.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus described every drowning as a preventable tragedy and urged governments to adopt practical, evidence-based measures to save lives.
Mr Ghebreyesus said preventing drowning requires coordinated action across sectors rather than the efforts of a single ministry.
“The seven measures are packaged under the acronym, PROTECT, translating the Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention into practical policy guidance for countries,” he said.
According to him, the package focuses on safer physical infrastructure around water, improved rescue and resuscitation services, occupational safety for water-related work and stronger safety standards for water transport.
It also promotes swimming and water safety education, stronger childcare and safeguarding systems, and better preparedness for floods and other emergencies.
Mr Ghebreyesus said WHO launched the PROTECT package in Ghana in recognition of the country’s growing commitment to drowning prevention and efforts to improve water safety.
He said it estimated that more than 1,100 people died from drowning annually in Ghana, equivalent to approximately three deaths every day.
READ ALSO: Nearly 2.7 billion people cannot have healthy diet – WHO
Mr Ghebreyesus said that children and young adults accounted for the highest burden.
WHO boss said that Ghana’s leadership demonstrated how evidence-based policies could reduce drowning deaths and encouraged other governments to adopt similar preventive measures.
Kelly Henning, who leads the public health programme at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said the framework would save lives, while strengthening global efforts to reduce drowning through proven interventions.
Mr Henning said that since 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies had partnered with WHO on drowning prevention.
World Drowning Prevention Day theme, “Unite to Turn the Tide,” calls for coordinated action by governments, partners and communities to prevent drowning and save lives.
(NAN)
-
News3 days agoGagdi Hails Tinubu’s Infrastructure Drive as Babban Lamba–Sharam Road Project Begins in Plateau
-
News2 days ago
2027: Atiku, Obi, others should back Tinubu, opposition dead – Abubakar, Fasola
-
News2 days ago
EFCC Clears NIS Comptroller General Kemi Nandap in Visa Fraud Investigation
-
News2 days ago
Oluremi Tinubu Pledges to Wear Akwete Fabric if Tinubu Wins Second Term, Announces ₦2bn Grant for Weavers
