By: 

Monday Nas Ozoya

As a nation passionate about football, Nigeria has seen many iconic football clubs rise and fall. Teams like Stationery Stores of Lagos, New Nigeria Bank of Benin, ACB of Lagos, Leventis United of Ibadan, NEPA Lagos, Julius Berger of Lagos, and Zamfara United once brought pride and joy to their fans. Yet, these clubs have faded into obscurity, leaving us to ask an important question: Why do our football clubs fail in Nigeria?

A Look at the Root Causes

1. Poor Funding and Financial Mismanagement
One of the primary reasons for these clubs' collapse is financial instability. Many Nigerian football clubs have relied heavily on individual benefactors, government support, or unsustainable corporate sponsorships. When these funding sources dried up, the clubs could not meet their financial obligations, including player salaries, infrastructure development, and operational costs.
Unlike in Europe, where clubs generate income through diverse streams like merchandise sales, broadcasting rights, and ticket sales, Nigerian clubs depend heavily on a few unreliable sources. Once these sources withdraw, the clubs crumble.

2. Lack of Proper Management Structures

Most Nigerian football clubs lack a professional management structure. Many were run as extensions of their owners' interests or as arms of state or corporate entities without strategic planning for long-term success. As a result, decisions were often driven by short-term needs or political motivations rather than sustainable growth.

3. Political Interference

State-owned or government-backed clubs often faced political interference. Changes in political leadership sometimes led to shifts in priorities, with clubs either being defunded or neglected altogether. In such cases, club administrators often had little say in the club’s long-term strategy, as their focus was on appeasing political actors rather than building a solid team.

4. Lack of Infrastructure and Development Pathways

Nigerian clubs often suffer from inadequate infrastructure and youth development programs. Clubs struggle to groom new talent without proper training facilities, academies, and scouting systems. Many of these once-great clubs lacked the resources to develop youth players, so they could not sustain their talent pipeline.

5. Absence of Commercial and Marketing Strategies

In a world where sports clubs are also businesses, marketing and commercialisation are crucial. Nigerian clubs historically failed to build strong brands that could generate revenue through merchandising, sponsorship deals, and fan engagement. Without a well-defined commercial strategy, clubs couldn’t create the financial independence necessary for long-term survival.

What Can Be Done to Avoid This Cycle?

1. Diversify Funding Sources

Clubs need to reduce their reliance on a single source of funding. Partnerships with private corporations, better broadcasting rights deals, and the development of football academies as revenue streams can provide a much-needed financial buffer. Clubs should also explore fan-driven revenue streams, such as ticket sales, merchandise, and digital engagement.

2. Implement Strong Management Structures
Clubs need to adopt a more professional approach to management, with clear roles and responsibilities for their executives. Board members and managers should have business acumen and a long-term strategic vision. A more structured, corporate approach to football administration will allow clubs to plan for future growth and stability.

3. Develop Youth Programs and Infrastructure
Football success starts at the grassroots level. Investing in youth academies, scouting networks, and sports infrastructure is essential. Developing young players from within ensures a sustainable talent pool, reduces the need to overpay for established players, and creates pathways for long-term club growth.

4. Embrace Accountability and Transparency
Clubs must prioritise accountability and transparency in their financial and operational processes. Public reporting of finances, external audits, and clear communication with fans and stakeholders will help build trust and avoid the pitfalls of mismanagement.

5. Build Strong Commercial and Marketing Teams

Nigerian clubs should prioritise building a strong brand. To enhance their revenue streams, clubs should hire professionals with experience in marketing and commercial activities. This includes developing merchandise, social media strategies, and partnerships with international brands.

Conclusion: A Need for Urgent Reflection

The fall of iconic football clubs like Stationery Stores, Julius Berger, and others highlights Nigerian football's broader challenges. To prevent history from repeating itself, clubs must embrace professional management practices, diversify their funding, and focus on youth development and infrastructure. The lessons are clear: Nigerian clubs will continue to struggle without modernising our football administration.

It is time to rethink our approach and create football clubs that can survive and thrive in the long run.

Let us reflect on what went wrong and look to the future with a renewed commitment to building a sustainable football culture in Nigeria.