When the current leadership of the NPFL headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, was officially confirmed in 2023 after serving briefly in an interim capacity, hopes were high for stability and progressive reforms over their two-year mandate. Fans and stakeholders expected a new era of professionalism and openness in the country’s top-tier football.
But beneath the competitive on-field action, growing concerns are being voiced over how the league is being run. The NPFL board’s recent actions have raised questions about its approach to partnerships and external initiatives. A more recent flashpoint came when the board “blocked” Eunisell from presenting Nasarawa United striker Anas Yusuf with the Golden Boot award for finishing as top scorer. The award, which includes a N3.6 million cash prize, was labeled “illegal” by the board.
For context, the NPFL and GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited entered a landmark partnership in 2022, with the firm providing significant investment to support the league’s development. The league has received significant financial backing for the league through the Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF). However, as envisaged by many, the deal placed immense financial control and influence in GTI’s hands.
In practice, the league now operates with a transactional mindset. Rather than embracing all support aimed at enhancing the NPFL brand, it appears the board views every initiative through a lens of revenue generation or control. If a deal doesn’t directly benefit the board or its close affiliates, it’s often met with resistance – or worse, blocked altogether.
A clear example came in September 2024, when the NPFL warned clubs against “ambush marketing.” The rebuke came after teams took the liberty to reward standout players with man-of-the-match awards – an initiative the league itself had not implemented but still sought to suppress. Brands linked to clubs like Nasarawa United and Enyimba eventually pulled thee plug.
Now, the league’s dispute with Eunisell – the independent sponsors of the top scorer award for seven years running – has reignited worries over the board’s inflexible posture. The letter signed by Hon. Elegbeleye dismissing the award as “illegal” has been widely viewed as tone-deaf, especially given Eunisell’s decade of support of Nigerian football. The company, having previously partnered with Sharks and then Rivers United, remains the front shirt sponsor of Abia Warriors.
In a league where clubs that finish anywhere from 2nd to 20th receive equal financial rewards, and there are no payments for broadcasting live matches, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) cannot afford to keep turning away brands that want to support and improve the competition. Instead of welcoming help, the board has been quick to cast blame – accusing nearly everyone, including journalists, of tarnishing the league’s image. So it’s time the leadership took responsibility for its shortcomings.
The award ceremony, which was originally slated for Friday in Lagos, has now been regrettably cancelled following actions taken by the league’s governing body. This latest twist may prompt other supporting brands and stakeholders to reconsider their involvement with the league. And if this isn’t a clear case of self-sabotage – then it’s hard to know what else to call it.
In shutting the door on initiatives like Eunisell’s Golden Boot, the NPFL board risks driving away stakeholders who have long supported the growth of the league. If the league truly wants to thrive, it must learn to embrace allies rather than alienate them. The future of Nigerian football depends not just on funding, but on a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.
