Abuja: Former Chairman of Gombe United Football Club, Ahmed Gara-Gombe, has stated that increasing the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) prize money will not resolve the underlying structural issues plaguing Nigerian football. Gara-Gombe made these remarks during a briefing in Abuja, in response to a proposal for a N2 billion prize for the league champions.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Gara-Gombe emphasized that while the proposed prize money is appealing, true sustainable football development requires more foundational improvements such as good governance, infrastructure, and commercial viability. He argued that even if the prize money were increased to N10 billion, the league would continue to falter without addressing these fundamentals.
Gara-Gombe outlined eight essential aspects needed for a successful league: good governance, a strong capital base, commercial viability, modern infrastructure, competent administrators, player welfare, fan engagement, and professional refereeing. He express
ed concern over the lack of stadiums in Nigeria that meet international standards, highlighting the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo as the most reliable venue for major fixtures.
He pointed out that several Nigerian clubs have had to relocate continental matches due to their home grounds not meeting Confederation of African Football requirements. Additionally, Gara-Gombe criticized the poor officiating in the league, which he sees as a significant threat to its credibility. He called for enhanced referee training, monitoring, and accountability, as well as the criminalization of match-fixing.
Gara-Gombe also defended his support for Ibrahim Gusau’s second-term bid for Nigeria Football Federation leadership, arguing that continuity would allow for a proper assessment of Gusau’s administration. He stressed that many of the challenges facing Nigerian football existed before Gusau’s leadership and require long-term institutional reforms rather than frequent administrative changes.
He advocated re
ducing government dependence in football, urging state governments to phase out direct funding of clubs. Instead, he suggested government support through grants, while clubs develop independent revenue streams via sponsorships, broadcasting rights, merchandising, and professional management. Gara-Gombe criticized the appointment of politicians as club administrators, insisting that clubs should be managed by qualified professionals under a licensing system.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of financial sustainability, emphasizing the need to determine the true commercial value of the league before setting high prize money. He noted that this evaluation should include clubs’ revenue-generating capabilities, such as sponsorships and supporter engagement.
Gara-Gombe also raised concerns over inadequate medical facilities at league venues, citing instances where clubs rely on borrowed ambulances during matches. He compared Nigerian football with North African clubs like Espérance Sportive de Tunis, which
have developed strong commercial structures, and urged Nigerian clubs to build similar institutions to thrive beyond government funding.