The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the dissolution of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), News About Nigeria understands.
The IMC has been replaced by a new board headed by Gbenga Elegbeleye, the former chairman of the IMC.
Elegbeleye’s leadership during the last NPFL season and Championship Play-off garnered praise from the NFF and stakeholders, paving the way for his appointment to head the new NPFL board.
The newly constituted NPFL board comprises individuals with significant experience in sports administration and football.
Alongside Gbenga Elegbeleye are Mallam Mohammed Nasiru Sa’idu, Poubeni Ogun, former Super Eagles’ star Daniel Amokachi, Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, Mallam Suleiman Umar, and former Super Eagles striker Dominic Iorfa.
The board, with a two-year tenure, is expected to bring fresh perspectives and strategies to enhance the league’s growth and development.
In a separate development, GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited, one of NPFL’s partners, has called on individuals, philanthropists, and corporate entities in Nigeria to seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing revolution in elite club football and invest in professional league clubs.
The success of recent events, such as the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League Championship play-offs and the Naija Super Eight pre-season tourney, indicates a surge in interest and followership for the upcoming NPFL season.
Andrew Ekejiuba, Head of GTI Media and Publicity, emphasized that GTI’s involvement in Nigeria’s football ecosystem has contributed to the thriving environment for elite club football.
Ekejiuba further stressed the importance of private investment in football clubs, citing examples from top leagues worldwide where government ownership of clubs is rare due to the capital-intensive nature of club ownership.
GTI and the league’s major broadcast partner, Propel Sports Africa, are actively preparing for the new season by ensuring the smooth implementation of live streaming for NPFL matches through OTT platforms.
This move is aimed at enhancing the league’s accessibility and engaging fans more effectively.
