Former Super Eagles midfielder and La Liga Ambassador in Nigeria, Mutiu Adepoju, has advocated for the private ownership of football clubs in Nigeria, urging the government to hand off the ownership of clubs.
The ex-Nigeria international gave the advice while speaking as a guest at the Ex-University of Ibadan Footballers Association monthly interactive programme.
He said corporate ownership of football clubs is the only way for the speedy development of Nigeria’s football leagues.
“That is the only way to go. Football is business, and the government has no business in the venture because they have very many other things to contend with in the country, and not football.“In Nigeria today, we have so many companies that can sponsor and run the clubs.
This can only happen if the government who owns the clubs now, gives an enabling for the business to thrive. The government should provide all the needed infrastructures, and allow the clubs to feed for themselves. That is the better arrangement and a more professional way of running club football in other climes,” Adepoju, fondly called ‘The Headmaster’ during his playing day said. (Leadership)