It totally undermines the overall value of the NPFL

It discredits the marketability of the NPFL totally

It is evident of total loss of confidence in the management of the NPFL

This will hurt the NFF, give the administrators sleepless nights and puts the private/public partnership model to a complete halt

It may pit the NFF against the Minister, who has been asking for private investment in Sports

Advantages of NPIFL

• It is 100% self sufficient and reliant
• 0 government interference
• Can be used to leverage for waiver from the government
• Consistency is guaranteed
• Easier marketing because each partner knows the game and how it rolls
• Acts as a working model against the NPFL to show that football is big business in Nigeria

Disadvantages

• Is not recognized by CAF and FIFA
• Cannot participate in FIFA and CAF organised/recognised competitions
• Lack of international credibility

Solutions

• Getting the NFF to recognise the NPIFL as either a parallel league or fully adopt its model, placing private clubs as top priorities ahead of state owned clubs
• NFF privatises the NPFL historically and thus, recognises NPIFL as the official league, replacing NPFL
• NPIFL writes CAF and FIFA over the now 100% government owned NPFL, forcing the NFF to recognise NPIFL as the flagbearer of Nigeria Football or restrategise accordingly
• Use NPIFL as a bargaining chip with the NFF for more funds and revenues

While this development is clearly unprecedented, it might just be the spark we need in getting our football on the right track and having something to show for it

Ugochukwu ‘Thanos’ Ifeanyi