FIFA officials have arrived in Nigeria to oversee a two-day strategic workshop for football stakeholders. The event is scheduled for June 3 and 4, 2025.
The event aims to critically evaluate the management models of Nigerian football clubs and leagues, with a focus on enhancing governance structures, boosting commercial viability, and broadening the global perspective of football administrators to drive sustainable growth.
A total of 40 representatives, including chairmen and CEOs from the 20 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs, are expected to participate. Additionally, top officials from the NPFL, Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), and Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) will also participate in the sessions.
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, will lead the NFF delegation, which includes 2nd Vice President Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
The FIFA delegation is led by El Hadji Wack Diop, Head of FIFA’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa, and comprises Rasoamahenina Sanda Manonisoa, Marcos Piccalo, Federico Perez, Javier Sobrino, and Laurent Colette.
Notably, Laurent Colette is a former Managing Director of Olympique de Marseille, while Javier Sobrino previously served as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at FC Barcelona.
As part of the programme, each NPFL club is expected to submit a strategic document outlining a clear pathway to financial autonomy, leveraging their history, identity, and assets to transform into globally recognised brands.
Workshop sessions will cover critical topics such as strategic planning, financial management, commercial growth, marketing strategy, and governance reforms, providing actionable insights for sustainable progress in Nigerian football.
BusinessDay
