The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Chief Gbenga Elegbeleye, has said the financial sustainability of NPFL clubs remains the biggest challenge facing the league, as only seven of the 20 teams are privately owned.
Elegbeleye stated this on Friday at the 2026 NPFL Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Reviewing the 2025/2026 season, which ended on May 24, the NPFL boss said that the campaign tested the league, but also showed what could be achieved through collaboration.
“The title race went down to the wire and there was improved matchday organisation, better security, and increased fan engagement across venues,” the chairman said.
On broadcast, Elegbeleye described the season as a mixed experience.
He said that for the first time, the league’s Over-The-Top (OTT) broadcaster, Propel Sports Africa, achieved 80 percent matchday coverage.
Elegbeleye, however, added that the relationship was terminated midway due to the broadcaster’s failure to fulfil its rights obligations.
He also disclosed that Direct-To-Home partner, AfroSoccer, joined from mid-season but only managed to produce one game per matchday, though talks are ongoing to improve both the number of games and the spread of coverage.
The chairman listed three urgent issues the league must address going forward.
First was the over-reliance of 13 clubs on government subvention, which he said made a commercial model driven by merchandising, ticketing, branding, and private investment inevitable.
Second was infrastructure and compliance, with a call for stadiums, medical facilities, and youth development structures to meet minimum standards, while the third centred on integrity.
The NPFL chairman warned that the board would act decisively against match manipulation and the intimidation of officials.
For the 2026/2027 season, Elegbeleye said the agenda would focus on commercial growth, player and officials’ welfare, and stricter professional standards.
He urged clubs to create merchandise and roll out sales and ticketing platforms, while also ensuring better data generation and well-stocked medical teams at every game.
“A happy player is a better player. We are not just running matches, we are running a business,” he stated.
The chairman also thanked referees, match officials, and the NPFL secretariat for sustaining discipline and standards, while urging fans to keep trooping to stadiums.
Elegbeleye said the NPFL represents more than 20 clubs, but also jobs and hope for young players across the country who dream of starting their careers at home before moving to Europe.
He called on all stakeholders to leave the AGM with a resolve to run the league with transparency, market it with pride, and protect its integrity.
