Reviving Nigerian Football: Delivering for Every Player, Every Community
By
Monday Nas
Football is a sport that unites us, inspires us, and has the potential to drive change in Nigeria. Yet, the challenges facing football development in our country have lingered for decades. It is time we take bold steps toward meaningful solutions.
🔍 A Call for Change
The current structure of football administration in Nigeria is not meeting the needs of all Nigerians—it is time to acknowledge this truth. Right now, it feels like football is for a select few when it should be for everyone.
To truly transform football in Nigeria, we must rethink how the game is delivered at all levels:
⚽ Elite Football (professional and semi-professional)
⚽ Amateur Football (grassroots and community-level football)
⚽ Academy Football (private and club-driven development)
⚽ School Football
A New Structure for Progress
Currently, State FAs oversee both professional and semi-professional football, but this approach needs to be expanded. We need dedicated FAs for:
✔️ Amateur Football
✔️ Academy Football
✔️ School Football
This specialised structure will allow us to maximize football’s potential and deliver tangible benefits to all Nigerians, including:
🥅 A robust football economy
🥅 Stakeholder specialization for better management
🥅 Increased sponsorship opportunities
🥅 Improved development for coaches and referees
🥅 Upgraded facilities and equipment
🥅 Proper regulations and monitoring
🥅 Ease of policy implementation
🥅 Greater investments and funding opportunities
Collaboration Is Key
To make these changes a reality, we need to shift our mindset from criticism to collaboration. As administrators and stakeholders, we must come together, exchange ideas, and commit to practical solutions that protect and grow the game we all love.
Football is more than just a sport—it is a movement that has the power to uplift communities, inspire youth, and strengthen our nation. Let us not waste its potential.
A Final Thought
I remain an enthusiastic advocate for grassroots football development. Remember, every small effort counts toward creating a brighter future for Nigerian football. Let us work together to deliver football for ALL Nigerians.
Yours in football,
Monday Nas Ozoya
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