In a significant move to boost Nigerian football, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders to revitalize the sport.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, expressed the company’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at reshaping and commercializing Nigerian football.
Kyari hosted a delegation led by Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, on Thursday at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.
The delegation included representatives from the International Management Group (IMG) and Afrosport Network.
Kyari expressed NNPC’s commitment to becoming a prime partner in efforts to enhance Nigerian football, citing its potential to foster national happiness and drive economic benefits.
In a statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Dikko pointed out the significant economic contributions of football to leading football nations, emphasizing President Bola Tinubu’s call for immediate action to revive the sport.
To achieve this, Dikko announced the enlistment of IMG, promoter of the English Premier League, as a technical partner to offer expertise.
NNPC’s historical connection to football was also highlighted, with Soneye noting the company’s former football club, NNPC FC, which competed in Division One of the Nigeria National League until its disbandment in 1989.
The partnership aims to leverage NNPC’s resources and expertise to develop Nigerian football, creating opportunities for growth and commercialization.
With the involvement of international partners like IMG, the prospects for Nigerian football’s revival appear promising.
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