President Bola Tinubu is set to revolutionise Nigerian football through a partnership with global sports broadcasting giants IMG, Sports247 reports.
The Federal Government is embarking on the partnership as part of his administration’s commitment to revitalise the Nigeria Premier Football League and elevate the country’s football to international standards.
Following the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2023 final loss to Ivory Coast, Tinubu initiated consultations with football experts from FIFA, CAF, and other stakeholders, who unanimously recommended IMG’s involvement to rescue Nigeria’s football industry.
While hosting the team at the Aso Rock Villa, Tinubu promised the players and the stakeholders in football that he would restore our football to what it once was, a national treasure.
“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow; do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” Tinubu said then.
IMG’s track record includes transforming the Indian Cricket League into a multi-billion-dollar venture and establishing the English Premier League as the world’s leading football brand.
The company recently showcased its expertise at AFCON 2023, helping achieve unprecedented viewership of 1.1 billion worldwide, double the previous edition’s figures.
Former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha highlighted the NPFL’s current broadcast challenges, noting that the league’s poor visibility has made it unattractive compared to foreign competitions.
“I don’t think I’d watch the Nigerian League if there is a Premier League match on television, if I am being honest, because the Premier League is more attractive,” Okocha stated.
“We need to go back to the drawing board, give ourselves time, and put something together to make our leagues attractive.”
The proposed partnership aims to replicate IMG’s success with other football bodies, including the Argentine Football Association, MLS, and the Saudi Pro League. With nearly 3,000 employees across 30 countries, IMG has demonstrated its capacity to transform sporting leagues through enhanced broadcasting and commercial strategies.
The president’s vision extends beyond broadcasting, as he engages corporate entities to ensure most NPFL clubs are community or privately owned by the 2025/26 season.
Tinubu also aims to create better earning opportunities for local players to stem the exodus to lesser leagues abroad.
The President, who is currently visiting Brazil, seeks to emulate the South American model, where IMG’s partnership with CONMEBOL generated $1.4bn in 2017 alone.
The initiative is expected to serve as a blueprint for developing other sports in Nigeria, including athletics, boxing, basketball, and tennis.
